New London author Nicholas Checker will sign his book “The Saga of Marathon” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Bank Square Books.

“Marathon” tells the story of a young foot-courier who must run 26 perilous miles from the Battlefield of Marathon to Athens in hopes of saving the future of democracy from a temperamental tyrant. This was at a time when “Rule of the People” was just an experiment, and Checker’s tale blends legend, history and fantasy with eerie parallels to today’s tumultuous times and social unrest.

Special guest speaker will be Mystic’s Amby Burfoot — former Boston Marathon winner and retired executive editor of Runner’s World Magazine. Also included at the event will be songwriter and musician Rick Spencer, who wrote the music and lyrics for the stage play “Run to Elysia,” which premiered at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and from which Checker adapted “The Saga of Marathon” novel.

For more information, call Bank Square Books at (860) 536-3795 or Checker at (860) 444-8711.