More than 600 Runners Set to Race in 8th Annual Quarryman Challenge

More 600 runners are expected to race April 13 in the eighth annual Advocate Good Samaritan Quarryman Challenge in Lemont.

The 10-mile and 5K (3.1 miles) races start and finish in downtown Lemont, weaving through scenic areas of the village throughout both courses.

The setup will begin at 6 a.m. on Main Street. The races will begin at 7:30 a.m. in front of Village Hall, 418 Main St. 

Residents are encouraged to cheer the runners, play music, and write (in chalk) encouraging messages on the streets.  To determine if your home is on the race course, review the map: Quarryman Map.     

Residents and visitors should be aware of temporary road closures and delays during the race, particularly students taking the ACT Test at Lemont High School, 800 Porter St.:  

• Main Street west of Stephen Street to Lockport by the VFW in downtown Lemont will be closed from approximately 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. This area of Main Street will reopen around 9 a.m.

• Main Street east of Stephen Street to Main and Illinois streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. until all race equipment can be cleared from Main Street in front of Village Hall. 

• Stephen Street will remain open during the race, with a brief closure at Stephen and Main streets at 7:30 a.m. This allows access to most of the downtown area during the race.

• Illinois Street remains open, but the race crosses Illinois Street at Lemont and Holmes streets.  Expect temporary delays at these intersections.

• The race uses the sidewalk on McCarthy Road for a brief distance from Julia Street to Grant Street and crosses McCarthy at Grant. This road will remain open, but expect temporary delays at this point from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Students taking the ACT test at Lemont High School should allow extra time to get to the test. The best option to avoid delays is to avoid Illinois Avenue and the intersection near McCarthy Road and Julia and Grant streets. Accessing the High School from the east via Main Street or from McCarthy Road, using the LHS driveway near the ball fields, will reduce the possibility of a delay.  

The Quarryman, which has been rated “Best Hills” among Chicagoland’s running races,  offers elite athletes, age group competitors and fitness runners a different, challenging course in Lemont's unique, scenic and small town setting, organizers said.

Information on the the race route can be found at www.quarrymanchallenge.com.

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