Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express Great information. Quick read.

THE OPENER
Just in case you missed this last week---Chicago Athlete's 2004 Resource Guide is out! We've got hundreds of running, duathlon/triathlon, cycling, adventure racing, swimming and skiing events plus store and club listings---resources you'll be able to use all year round.

*******************************************************************
EVENT DIRECTORS
Thanks for submitting your information for our 2004 Resource Guide. Please let us know at editorial@chicagoaa.com if there are any changes or any new listings. We update our online calendar all year long!

*******************************************************************
THE SCOOP
Bokoo Bikes is opening a second location at Marshall Field's on State Street in downtown Chicago. The Minnesota-based bicycle retailer seeks candidates for store manager and customer service associates. For more information email: info@bokoobikes.com or visit:
www.bokoobikes.com/goto/careers

*******************************************************************
THE NEWS
Mardi Gras Celebration . . . Vertel's is having a Mardi Gras Fun Run on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. They'll have free pizza and beer and all participants will receive a free pair of AVIA coolmax running socks. For more information call 773-248-7400.

Let Congress Know Where You Stand on Bike Issues . . . . The 3rd Annual "Cycling and the Government" survey, conducted by Bicycling and Mountain Bike magazine, gives you the opportunity to let government know how you think they're doing regarding federal funding, availability of facilities, and cycling in general. The results will be shared at the 2004 National Bike Summit, presented by the League of American Bicyclists, March 3-5 in Washington, DC. This is a three-day forum on improving bicycling policies and initiatives. To take the survey click here:
http://survey1.rodale.com/rodale-2way-v56/2w6ED6/Link.html

Team Challenge Is Open . . . Team Challenge registration for The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is now available. Team Challenge participants receive special amenities including access to the Team Challenge Tent/Compound with private gear check, toilet facilities, post-race food and beverages. For more information check out:
www.chicagomarathon.com (click on Marathon Information/Team Information)

********************************************************************
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
Race day is almost here---The Subaru American Birkebeiner & Johnson Bank Kortelopet! Plus, the Runner's Edge snowshoe race, indoor track, indoor triathlon, masters swimming and more. For information on these and other events check our online calendar:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

********************************************************************
DATE CHANGE
Waupaca Triathlon changed date from Aug 28 to Aug 21st.

********************************************************************
WEB LINK - GOOD READ
"Outdoor Exercise Is Not Just For Summer" by the Mayor's Council on Fitness from the Chicago Sun Times Web site:
/www.suntimes.com/output/lifestyles/cst-ftr-workout17.html

********************************************************************
THE RESULTS
Training for the LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle and want to check out how you did last year? You can find these results plus this past weekend's Stump Farm Classic and MultiplexClubs Indoor Triathlon results here:
www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

********************************************************************
THE CLOSER
Lance Armstrong made his season debut yesterday in the five-day Volta ao Algarve in Portugal. You can follow the race here:
www.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2004/feb04/algarve04/default