To make sure you're on top of all of latest Chicago Athlete news,click here to sign up for this eNewsetter.

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

****************************************************************
THE SCOOP:
The Lifestart Wacky 5K (formerly the Wacky Snacky 5K) is expecting close to 1,500 runners at 10 a.m. this Sunday if the fickle weather cooperates. Start and finish are at Plumber's Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington,just west of the Loop. You could win an award for the "wackiest costume" as well as the usual age-group honors. On-line registration is still open at $22 per runner. For more information, call 773-868-3010, or go to www.chicagoevents.com

****************************************************************
THE NEWS:
Mike Choate and Jim DiDomenico, both of Chicago, finished within a minute of each other as they went 1-2 among Illinois skiers at the 51K American Birkebeiner XC Ski Marathon on Saturday. Kathryn Splan of Evanston was the first Illinois woman. Italians swept the men's and women's titles in the 30th edition of this winter endurance test. Illinois was represented by close to 400 entrants. For more, go to www.chicagoaa.com/news/Birkiewrap03.html

Chicago runner Chris Wehrman is back from Ohme, Japan, where he ran the Ohme Hochi Marathon 30K. Wehrman, who is already qualified for next year's U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and holder of a 2:17 PR for 26.2 miles, ran in Japan as an invited runner. In rain, cold and a head-wind, Wehrman ran a 1:36:42, just off his goal time of 1:36. Said Wehrman, "although the race wasn't great, I did learn a lot about international racing and the effects of travel. It was still a good experience overall."

The Aurora Flyers, one of the most active and successful youth running clubs in the state, won 11 medals and set three national records on Saturday at the 2003 AAU Indoor Track and Field Champ- ionships in Merrillville, IN. Not all kids are couch potatoes.

The Chicago Area Runners Association kicks off its "Pregnant Women Stay Fit" training program at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 4 at Vertel's, 24. S. Michigan, and 8:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8 at Lakeview Physical Therapy, 3548 N. Southport Ave. Check out www.cararuns.org, or call 312-666-9836.

Marathon great Dick Beardsley spoke at Universal Sole on Monday Night, recalling his "Duel in the Sun" with Alberto Salazar at the 1982 Boston Marathon. For more, check out our story at: www.chicagoaa.com/news/Beardsleyfunrun03.ht ml

**************************************************************
THE SHAMROCK SHUFFLE:
On-line registration for the 24th annual LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle is open, but only through Wednesday, March 5. To sign up, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com. The colorful race is on Sunday, March 23. The "season opener" 8K could attract as many as 20,000 runners, organizers say. Race weekend registration also will be available at the Shamrock Expo For more details, log onto to the above-mentioned Web site, or call 312- 904-9814.

***************************************************************
THE 2003 BIKE SHOW:
The Subaru Chicago Bike Show & Family Fitness Expo is coming soon. It is the same weekend as the Shamrock Shuffle - March 21-23 in Festival Hall A at Navy Pier. The show will have it all, with plenty of excitement for all ages. For more info, go to www.chicagobikeshow.com, or call 847-675-0200 x 204.

**************************************************************
THE CLOSER:
There are less than two months until the Boston Marathon. Where does the time go? Good luck to all who are training for Bean Town in the wintry weather we've been having lately. Chicago Athlete writer Mark Buciak continues his Boston Marathon talks at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday at Fleet Feet Sports, 210 W. North Ave., Chicago. The topic is "Heartbreak Hill and Beyond." You can RSVP for this free seminar at RSVP@fleetfeetchicago.com