Come join bestselling author Paul Clerici as he shares stories ab out the iconic Boston Marathon. He has written extensively on the race\, i ncluding in Boston Marathon History by the Mile\, Images of Modern Ame rica: The Boston Marathon\, and newly the released Boston Maratho n Traditions and Lore.
\nHe will describe and illustrate such t raditions as the connection between the Greek god Zeus\, the Battle of Mar athon in 490 BC\, and the gold-dipped olive-branch wreaths each champion r eceives at Boston\; the growth of the start and finish lines from its simp le origins as a single line to its lavish colorful artistry\; the unique a thlete and culture exchange program with the Ohme-Hochi 30K in Japan that began with four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers in the 1970s\; st atues and monuments along the course\, including one of runner-sculptor Bo bbi Gibb\, the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon and who created t he life-size statue herself\; the ever-changing beauty of the finisher med al\; the evolution of media coverage\; the athlete villages\, one of which began in 1996 to accommodate its largest field of 38\,000 for its centenn ial\; and much more.
\nHis storytelling is supplemented with a multi media presentation of images from his books\, which include some from rare collections and some never seen before!
\nRegistration is encourage d but not required. Drop-ins welcome.
\nSponsored by the Wilbraham F riends of the Library. \;
\nhttps://wilbraham.libnet.info/event/123 25644 URL;VALUE=URI:https://wilbraham.libnet.info/event/12325644 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR