Photo courtesy of Paul Clerici
The Friends of the Walpole Public Library are excited to be able to resume live events at the library, although with masking and distancing protocols, and still with contingency plans, due to the continuing pandemic.
The Friends' first live-only event of the year welcomes a visit from local author Paul Clerici, on Tuesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., in the Community Room of the library at 143 School Street. He'll talk about many of the true stories that he collected and information that he compiled for his book, "Boston Marathon: History by the Mile".
Attendees will hear great stories about the very beginnings of the race in Ashland; the various start lines in Hopkinton; the year in which a train cut through the race in Framingham; the Scream Tunnel of women at Wellesley College; the Johnny Kelley statue in Newton; the different finish lines in Boston; and more. In his book, the award-winning writer takes readers through the colorful 26.2-mile journey – mile by mile, town by town, story by story.
With his unique vast array of experiences and knowledge – he has run the Boston Marathon 23 times and has covered it for over 30 years now – in his book, Clerici brings the great race to life through informative, humorous, and enlightening detail that includes stories about every statue, moment, landmark, and portion of the course from its start in 1897 to its current incarnation.
Paul Clerici is a freelance journalist, photographer, and former newspaper editor, who delivers talks and lectures at libraries, historical societies, bookstores, running clubs; appears at expos, book signings, group meetings; appears on television (NECN, cable stations, etc.), radio (NPR, local and city stations, etc.), and media outlets, including “The Boston Globe” and the “Cape Cod Times.”
Race director of the Camy 5K Run & David 5K Walk in Walpole, he has competed in nearly every distance from the mile to the marathon – including two triathlons, 43 marathons, the Falmouth Road Race several times – and has won numerous age-group and Clydesdale running awards. He is also the author of “A History of the Falmouth Road Race: Running Cape Cod” and “History of the Greater Boston Track Club.”
Details of this event are subject to change depending on the current COVID-19 situation.
The Friends strongly advise checking www.walpolelibrary.org for any updates.
