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Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express. Enjoy the read, and remember, at Chicago Athlete . . . we are who you are . . . Chicago Athlete.

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THE SCOOP:
After a poor-snow winter, officials at the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon on Feb. 22 are breathing easier. The Hayward area in northwest Wisconsin, where the 51K race is held, has received 8-10 inches of snow over the past week. The 30th annual Nordic event has drawn an international field. Click Here for more info, and for the latest race information and on-line registration, go to www.birkie.com

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THE NEWS:
Chicago runner Chris Wehrman will be running Sunday in a 30-kilometer race in Ohme, Japan. Wehrman tuned up in late January with a half-marathon PR of 1:05:56 at the Naples (FL) Daily News Half-Marathon. He finished sixth overall and was third American.

The Lakeshore Marathon has announced a new start date and start time. The event now will start at 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 25. Registration is open and available for the Memorial Day weekend race. Entry is $65 through March 15. Go to www.lakeshoremarathon.com for further information.

The Runner's Edge Lakewoods Trail Run has been shifted back to May. For info,click here

Ottawa's Hammerfest Triathlon (1.5 km Swim/40 km Bike/10 km Run) has opened registration at www.hammerfesttri.com , for the June 21 race to be held in the Starved Rock area. A field of about 600 is expected to race.

The Aurora Flyers, one of the top youth running programs in the area, broke 11 national records the weekend of Feb. 1-2 at the USATF Indoor National Championships. Watch for this club to do well wherever it competes.

Eddie Reese (Austin, Texas) has been named the head men's coach, while Mark Schubert (Los Angeles, Calif.) will be the women's head coach for the U.S. swim team at the 2004 Olympic Games, USA Swimming announced.

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THE VALENTINE CONNECTION:
A Sweetheart Skate will be held on Friday, Feb. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Warren Park Ice Rink, 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Costs are as follows: 18 & over - $8; under 17 - $7; couples - $13; skate rental - $4. For more information, call 312-742-6600.

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THE TV BEAT:
The Tyson Foods Invitational, the third stop on USATF's Golden Spike Tour, will be shown from 7-8 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 16 on ESPN2.

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THE EVENTS:
Are you into indoor triathlons, indoor track, running, cross-country skiing? For a look at the weekend of events ahead, check out our searchable calendar at www.chicagoaa.com

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THE CLOSER:
Mark your calendars for The Subaru Chicago Bike Show and Family Fitness Expo at Navy Pier, Friday-Sunday, March 21-23. For more information, go to www.chicagobikeshow.com, or call 846-675-0200 x 204.