Join Read & Run Chicago as we bring three of the books in local author Pat Camalliere's Cora Tozzi Historical Mystery Series to life this spring in partnership with Lemont Downtown. In this three-part series inspired by The Mystery at Sag Bridge, The Mystery at Black Partridge Woods, and The Mystery at Mount Forest Island, we'll explore Lemont through movement and stories.
Led by Read & Run Chicago guide Carrie Mathews, each event features a running route corresponding to real-life locations featured in one of the novels and covers historical topics like Irish immigration, Illinois’s indigenous history, and even Chicago mob history.
Readers & runners will run where the books take place, gain historical context to the stories, learn fun facts, and finish each running route with an optional post-run hangout in downtown Lemont with author Pat Camalliere. You’ll be able to enjoy lite bites, buy Read & Run Chicago merch, and purchase books. No prior reading is required for any of the events in this series, but you’ll have the chance to purchase the book during our Q&A with the author.
All ages, running levels, and abilities are welcome to join one or all of the runs in this series!
If you love Lemont history and books but are unable to join the running portion of the events, please join the group at the post-run Q&A locations (see below). We will indicate in each event’s details if alternative movement options (walking, cycling, rolling) are possible for the routes.
Event 1: Running Tour of The Mystery at Sag Bridge
Saturday, March 23 at 9am
Here are all the details:
MEET: Meet at Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum (306 Lemont Street) between 8:50am-9:00am on Saturday, March 23.
ROUTE: We’ll run an easy-paced (~11:00 minute/mile), 3-mile route through Lemont to talk about the area's Irish immigration history and Old Sag Down with information about Smokey Row, quarry and canal history, and more.
WALKING OPTION: Kids, strollers, and all ages welcome to meet the runners at Lemont Area Historical Society by 9:00am for the beginning of the program. Once the runners begin, you'll be able to walk towards the canal with a Read & Run Chicago volunteer. You'll be back by 10:30am to meet the running group and hear the route wrap-up and before both groups begin the post-run Q&A together.
OPTIONAL PREPARE/PREPARE: This is a running tour and it is optional to read The Mystery at Sag Bridge prior to this run. You’ll be able to purchase your copy during the post-run Q&A directly from the author.
If you’d like to read the book prior to this run, we encourage you to borrow a copy from your local library branch (here's how to get a card from the Chicago Public Library if you don't have one). If you prefer to purchase the book, you will find it at Smokey Row Antiques.
POST-RUN: After the movement options, readers & runners will return to Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum (306 Lemont Street) where Pat Camalliere will provide additional historical information and chat with runners. You’ll be able to purchase your copies of her books, snack on light bites, and buy Read & Run Chicago merch. Attendees will also be able to browse the museum (suggested $5 donation).
OPTION ATTEND Q&A ONLY: If you want to socialize with other readers & runners and meet the author but are unable to join the running portion of the event, please register with a Q&A only ticket and plan to meet us directly at the Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum starting at 10:30am.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If the weather becomes unsafe to be outside, this event will be a lecture at the Lemont Area Historical Society and Museum starting at 10:00am. Registered runners will be informed no later than 8am on Saturday, March 23.