Falmouth Museums on the Green, home of the Falmouth Historical Society, will present a special free lecture this Friday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. in celebration of Sunday's Falmouth Road Race. Local author Paul C. Clerici will discuss his book, "A History of the Falmouth Road Race: Running Cape Cod," the first book devoted entirely to the famous Cape Cod road race. The event will be held in the Cultural Center, located at 55 Palmer Avenue. Books will be available for purchase from Eight Cousins and light refreshments will be available.

Hear how it all began in a bar; the story behind a runner who swam across the harbor during the race; how legendary coach Bill Squires and his Greater Boston Track Club athletes ignited the race's competition; how the race's inspiration - Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter - came to Falmouth; why the course distance ranged from 6.9 to 7.5 miles; how six-time champion Joan Benoit Samuelson nearly missed running one year due to her race-morning boat ride; how the race grew from under 100 runners to more than 11,000; and much more.