Chicago Runner Conquers Every Street, Breaks Stereotypes

Joabe Barbosa, a 25-year-old graduate student at Roosevelt University, has achieved a remarkable feat by running down every street in Chicago. This extensive journey spanned over 4,000 miles and concluded on June 14th, 2026, at Buckingham Fountain.

Barbosa, originally from Brazil, began this ambitious project in 2024. His travels across all of Chicago's neighborhoods were documented on social media, showcasing interactions with residents and notable figures like the Illinois Governor. The initiative was partly inspired by a traumatic hiking accident in 2024 that led to frostbite and hypothermia, prompting him to start running.

Initially a way to combat boredom, Barbosa's project quickly became a mission to dismantle stereotypes about Chicago. He emphasized the kindness and support he encountered, urging people to see beyond negative perceptions of certain areas. His efforts have also had personal implications, as Roosevelt University assisted him in deferring his potential deportation due to an expired student visa.

Barbosa hopes his experience encourages others to approach the world with more kindness and less fear. He believes personal experience is far more impactful than secondhand stories, proving that positive interactions can be found everywhere, regardless of neighborhood reputation.