Lemont’s Quarryman Challenge Race Day Quickly Approaching

LEMONT, IL — On Saturday, May 12, over 700 runners and hundreds of volunteers, spectators and support crews are expected to descend on downtown Lemont as the Citgo Quarryman Challenge 10 Mile and 5K returns to town. Organizers said this is the 13th annual running of the event.

The race starts, finishes and post-race events will be held at Village Hall and the parking lot and streets adjacent to Village Hall. Organizers said residents should be aware of runners on the streets and there will be detours and temporary street closings during the event.

Downtown Lemont will have similar closings as the car show; but, Stephen Street will remain open after the race starts and the streets north of the railroad tracks will remain open and accessible, according to a release. Streets should be fully reopened by 11 a.m. or earlier.

In downtown Lemont, closures are:

• Main Street will be closed from Julia west to Lockport Street (near the VFW) west of the State Street bridge from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Main Street west of Stephen may reopen at approximately 9 a.m.
• Main Street from Julia – Stephen will be closed from 6 to 10:30 a.m.
• Lemont Street will be closed from Main Street south to Cass until 9 a.m.
• Stephen Street will be temporarily closed from Illinois to the train tracks from 7 to 7:45 a.m.
• The crossing of Main Street at Holmes will be closed during the race.

According to a release, the section of the course on the west side of Lemont Road should be clear by 9 a.m. The sections on the east side of Lemont Road should be clear by 10 a.m. Residential streets on the course include: Lockport, Warner, Logan, Evergreen, Timberline, Peiffer, Norton, Walter, Roberta, Wend, Singer, Lemont Street, Walter, Ledochowski, Hillview, Sara, Glenys, Keepataw Drive, Freehauf, Schultz, McCarthy Street, and Julia.

Lemont’s residents are encouraged to cheer, play music, ring bells, and write (in chalk) encouraging messages on the street as the runners challenge themselves on one of the most difficult run courses in the Chicago area, organizers said in a release.

The race is owned by the Village of Lemont and jointly operated with the Lemont Park District and a local committee. It will benefit the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area in Lemont and promotes outdoor activities in the community.

Image via Shutterstock.