Taking a page from the Read & Run Tours project launched in Chicago, a run set for Sunday, June 2, through La Jolla’s Village will stop at nine locations connected to famed La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. It also will feature a post-run discussion with Scripps biographer Molly McClain.
“Read & Run on the Road: Running Tour of Ellen Browning Scripps” will begin at 9 a.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, then wind through La Jolla before ending at the La Jolla Historical Society.
Stops will include the Children’s Pool, the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, The Bishop’s School and more.
During the 3-mile run, guide Chelsey Stone will provide information at each stop and explain how it is connected to Scripps, who lived in La Jolla for 35 years until her death in 1932 at age 95.
Runners are encouraged but not required to read McClain’s 2017 book “Ellen Browning Scripps: New Money and American Philanthropy” beforehand.
While runners of all abilities can participate, the planned pace is about 11 minutes per mile with breaks.
“I want people to look at things they every day in a different light,” said Stone, who lives in Pacific Beach. “I didn’t realize before that the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is [Scripps’] former residence. That’s the nice thing about Read & Run — it helps people feel more grounded to where they live and connected to what La Jolla means to them.”
While living in Chicago, Stone participated in Read & Runs, which featured books by local authors set in certain neighborhoods or based on certain landmarks. The group would run through those areas to see what the characters in the books were seeing.
“When I move to or visit a new place, I like to read about it to feel more at home there,” Stone said. So when she moved to San Diego in 2023, Stone set out to learn more about her new community.
“I read a ton about San Diego, and it was always in the back of my mind whether what I was reading could be a cool Read & Run book,” she said.
While exploring La Jolla, Stone started to notice “everything has the name Scripps on it,” and she became curious about the La Jolla benefactor.
“I wanted to better understand who she was and how she used her philanthropy,” Stone said. “I thought she was interesting and thought it was fascinating how much of La Jolla comes from her. There are physical structures we can see and visit, and they are so concentrated. I thought it would make a great Read & Run topic.”
When she found McClain’s book, Stone decided to use it in connection with the planned run. She approached McClain about having her participate.
“I thought it was a wonderful idea, very clever and innovative,” McClain said. “I thought it was a terrific way to experience Scripps’ La Jolla in a special way. The run will encom The Village that she had a hand in helping to create. I think it opens up history and literature to a younger generation, a running generation, in a special way.”
McClain will not participate in the run but will appear afterward at the Historical Society to answer questions and discuss runners’ observations.
‘Read & Run on the Road: Running Tour of Ellen Browning Scripps’
When: 9 a.m. Sunday, June 2
Where: Begins at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, and ends at La Jolla Historical Society, 780 Prospect St. Includes nine stops overall.
Cost: $25
Information: bit.ly/3V4UbEf ◆
