The seventh annual Advocate Good Samaritan Quarryman Challenge was canceled Saturday morning due to lightning in the area, Lemont officials said.

Race organizer Dave Fako said every effort will be made to reschedule the 10-mile and 5K races, which were scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Lemont.

"We'll do our best to work with the village to reschedule, but there are no guarantees," Fako said.

Just after 7 a.m., steady rain and lightning had forced organizers to delay the start time by 30 minutes. By 8 a.m., the decision was made to cancel the race.

Lemont Police Chief Kevin Shaughnessy and Mayor Brian Reaves spent the morning tracking the weather from Village Hall, where dozens of runners were waiting to hear the news.

Although the rain had let up, Shaughnessy said there would have only been a 20-minute window before the next risk of heavy rain and lightning.

"That's just not enough time," he said.

About 100 runners opted to complete the course, despite the cancellation.

For more information on the Quarryman Challenge, visit www.quarrymanchallenge.com.

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