By Bob Richards
Editor, Chicago's Amateur Athlete
     He just ran the tough Parkersburg, W.Va. Half-Marathon on Aug. 19,
but Chris Wehrman of East Lansing, Mich., wants to get another one under
his belt in case he is tapped for the U.S. team at the World Half-Marathon
later this year.
     So Wehrman, 24, of East Lansing, Mich., might be the one to beat in
Sunday's Chicago Half-Marathon in Hyde Park.  He brings strong credentials
to what will amount to a tuneup race for him.  He placed 11th at Parkersburg
with a personal-best 1:06:26, and is a possible alternate for the U.S. team,
based on that performance.
    He is no stranger to the Chicago racing scene, having finished third in
the Chicago 10K Classic in August with a time of 30:32.  He was beaten in
that race by Homewood-based Kenyan, Julius Mwangi (30:10), and Michigan's
Mark Pilja (30:23), a Naperville native.
     Wehrman, a 1998 graduate of Michigan State, is attending law school
at the Michigan State/Detroit College of Law and is attending MSU's
graduate program, working on a masters of public policy and administration.
he ias a volunteer coach at MSU as well.
     Susan Nicholl, Chicago Half-Marathon racedirector and owner of Dillon
Productions, which puts on the event, said Thursday 4,500 people are signed
up so far.  Registration continues right through race day.  To register
between now and then, go to Fleet Feet Sports, 210 W. North in Piper's
Alley.  Nicholl is hoping for 6,000 or more runners.
    The race showcases some of the South Side's top sights, including the
Museum of Science and Industry, University of Chicago, Washington Park and
Jackson Park.
    Race time is 7:45 a.m.  The start and finish are near the Museum of
Scinece and Industry on Cornell Drive.  There also is a kids fest that
starts at 9:30 a.m., and plenty of postrace fun for the whole family.
    For more information, call (773) 929-6072.