Popular Lemont, Woodridge Races Partner for 'Double Dare Challenge'

Runners will get more bang for their buck this summer when two popular area races, Lemont’s Advocate Good Samaritan Quarryman 10 Mile and Woodridge’s Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10, partner for the Double Dare Challenge.

“Both races are close to each other, but run at different times of the year,” said Dave Fako, race director of the Quarryman. “And both events have similar reputations as high-quality, well-organized events with challenging courses.”

The Quarryman 10 Mile steps off at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Main and Julia streets in Lemont, while the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10, which is run on the trails at the Waterfall Glen Preserve in Woodridge, is set for 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23.

Double Dare Challenge participants will nab a 20-percent discount on both races as well as T-shirts and goodies each race offers plus a special giveaway for tackling the Double Dare Challenge.

Awards for best overall times in both races will be given to the top three male and female and top overall male and female masters for runners ages 40 and above.

“Double Dare participants will challenge themselves on the hilly terrain of the Quarryman 10 Mile course, which winds through the historic and scenic neighborhoods and downtown area of Lemont and experience the hills, trails, guts and glory of the Xtreme 10 run on the trails of Waterfall Glen,” said Meghan Kennihan, race director of the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10.

Scott Hutera, who participated in the Quarryman last year, urges anyone training for a future race to run Lemont’s course.

“It’s very challenging,” said the Lockport resident who has participated in several races around the Chicago area. “If you’ve never done it before and don’t run hills very often it can kick your butt. But it’s a very good course. It gets you ready for (other marathons).”

Both the Quarryman 10 Mile and the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 are considered among the most challenging in Chicago, Fako said. They have been certified by the Chicago Area Runners’ Association and named CARA Best of Chicagoland races.

“The Double Dare Challenge gives area runners the opportunity to prove they are one of the best middle distance runners in the Chicago area on two of the toughest courses around,” Fako said.

Both races benefit local communities and charities. The Quarryman 10 Mile promotes outdoor activities and the local businesses in the village of Lemont, while the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 benefits the Community Nurse Health Association.

Registration for both races is $65. Registration for the Double Dare is available online. For more information about the races, visit www.quarrymanchallenge.com and www.xtreme10race.com.