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Welcome to your Chicago Athlete Express. Enjoy the read.

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This e-newsletter is brought to you by The 27th Chicago Distance Classic (www.ChicagoDistanceClassic.com)on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003. The CDC is limited to 7,500 entrants, and is filling up fast! The CDC features Chip timing, prize money, technical T-shirts, finishers' medals, plenty of aid stations, first names on race bibs and a fun post-race party.

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THE SCOOP
Lance Armstrong had the American flag flying and the U.S. anthem playing in Paris on Sunday after his victory in the Tour de France, but back home, Victor Rapinksi of Belarus won the overall title in the International Cycling Classic, a series of 17 races held over the past two weeks in Illinois and Wisconsin. Robbie Ventura of US Postal's domestic squad finished in 12th place out 120 riders in the grueling "Superweek" competition. Women's champion was Lynn Gaggioli of Santa Rosa, CA. Sarah Tillotson of Wheaton, who rides for Athletes by Design, finished third. For more information, see:
www.internationalcycling.com

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THE NEWS
Speaking of bike racing, the Northbrook Velodrome will be hosting the State Championship Sprint Finals Thursday night. There will be racing for Categories 1-4 and women. The track is at Maple and Waukegan in Northbrook. In a recent development, it has been learned through a story in the Northbrook Star news- paper that the track needs to be resurfaced, and if it isn't, it could be shut down after next year's season. The Northbrook Cycle Committee has announced that money will be collected during Thursday's program to begin a fund to cover what could be a very expensive job because of the track's banking. Come out and sup- port the racers and the track. Chicago Athlete is the proud sponsor of the eve- ning's races. We'll see you there! For more information, visit:
www.northbrookvelodrome.com

The 27th Chicago Distance Classic has announced the prize money package for this Sunday's 20K and 5K races. For the story, please visit:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/distanceclassic03preview.html

The second annual Arlington Classic Criterium this Saturday again will feature US Postal's Robbie Ventura, also a regular columnist for Chicago Athlete. For more details on race categories and prize money, see:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/arlingtoncriterium03.html

Free foot screenings will be available this Saturday, Aug. 2, from noon to 4 p.m. at Running for Kicks, 7158 W. 127th St., Palos Heights. Dr. John Bergman will conduct the screenings. In addition, Dr. Bergman will be giving tips on injury prevention and proper shoe selection. No appointment will be needed. Dr. Bergman is Team Podiatrist for the Chicago Bulls and has worked with numerous other NBA and NFL teams. Currently, he is treating the University of Illinois Women's cross-country team. He will be utilizing a digital foot scanner that he developed. The scanner provides a digital topography of the foot. For more information, call 708-448-9200.

Pro-Form Bike-Run-Swim, a new shop for multisport athletes, has opened in South Bend, IN. Located at 2202 South Bend Ave., the store is 1/4 mile east of the University of Notre Dame. For information, call 574-272-0129,or visit:
www.proformbike.com

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THE RESULTS
The racing in Chicago and vicinity just keeps going and going and going! There has been plenty of action lately, mostly in the running and triathlon arena. Here's to all who participated and best of luck in future races. Some of the winners were:
*Geneva Viking Sunset 5K (July 23)
Daniel Huling, 20, Geneva, 15:07;
Farah Jadran, 17, Bloomingdale, 17:48.
* Chicago Fire Fighters Run for the Kids 5K (July 24)
Scott Anderson, 29, Chicago, 14:54;
Lisa Menninger, 38, LaGrange, 17:39.
*Can You Stand the Heat 5K (July 26)
Emisael Favela, 26, Chicago, 14:33;
Chris Peboy, 35, Munster, IN, 28:08.
*Pewaukee Lake WI Triathlon (July 26) Olympic Distance-Patrick Bless, 30, 2:01:02;
Tracy Hogan, 32, 2:24:48.
Sprint Distance-Jim Pingel, 34, 1:32:23;
Heather Haviland, 30, 1:39:28.
*Dairlyland Triathlon Half-Ironman (July 27, Racine, WI)
Luke McKenzie, 22, 4:02.17;
Lisa Bentley, 34, 4:34.50.
*Fleet Feet 5K, 10K and Festival (July 27)
5K-Dot McMahan, 26, Shorewood, WI, 18:32;
10K-Kim Wiedman, 20, Chicago, 39:49.
Whew! That was quite a list!
For lots more race results, check out:
www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

You can also view our photo gallery from the Fleet Feet Women's 5K, 10K and Festival at:
www.chicagoaa.com/features/ffwomensfestival03photos.html

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THE WEEKEND AHEAD
Besides the Chicago Distance Classic and Arlington Classic Criterium, the calendar is loaded down with quality events again this weekend. We urge you to check the calendar for yourself, but here are a few highlights:
Saturday-North Aurora Days Family Runs, Heritage Day 5K (Long Grove) and Marianjoy 5K/10K (Wheaton).
Sunday-12 Hours of Palos Mountain Bike Race, Big Foot Triathlon (Lake Geneva, WI), Tower Triathlon (Niles), Kingfish Mini Marathon (Portage, IN), Coon Creek Classic (Hampshire) and Silver Springs Scamper (Yorkville).
Please visit:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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THE COMMUTER CHALLENGE -- UPDATE
Randy Warren of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation reports on the results of the June 13 Bicycle Commuter Challenge. Here are the winners:
*Bicycle Related - 5-24 employees, Chicago Athlete Magazine;
25-99 employees, SRAM Corp.
*Business/Non-Profit - 5-24, Chicagoland Bicycle Federation;
25-99, Center for Neighborhood Technology;
100-499, University of Chicago Press;
500-plus, Field Museum.
*Public Agencies - 25-99, CATS;
100-499, Village of Oak Park;
500-plus,U.S. EPA.
Chicago Athlete was happy to participate and urges you to commute on your bike whenever possible. It will be good for you and the environment. Here's the URL for CBF's Bike to Work Manual:
www.biketraffic.org/commute.htm

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THE ANSWER
Congratulations to Wayne D. Dalton of New Berlin, WI, who was the first to send in the correct answer to last week's question, "Who was the last Japanese runner to win what is now called The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and in what year did the victory occur? The answer was Toshihiko Seko in 1986. Wayne soon will be sporting a new Chicago Athlete T-shirt to his Milwaukee-area buddies.

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION
How many permanent velodromes are there within 60 miles of Chicago, and where are they located? Send your answer to editorial@chicagoaa.com, and if you're the first person with the right answer, you will win . . . of course! A Chicago Athlete T-shirt!

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WISH YOUR FRIENDS GOOD LUCK!
Here's another way to support your favorite marathoner! For $30, $20 or $15, you can write a message for your friends, loved one or even cheer on your favorite elite racer at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Your message will appear in the October issue of Chicago Athlete, which is the official program for the Marathon this year! DEADLINE IS AUG. 8! Here's where to find out more:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/oct03goodluckad.html

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VOLUNTEERS WANTED
We are looking for volunteers to help staff the Chicago Athlete water station at the Accenture Chicago Triathlon on Sunday morning, Aug. 24. We look for- ward to hearing from you! If you volunteer, you will get one of the coveted Chicago Athlete T-shirts! Please let us know if you can help by e-mailing us at: editorial@chicagoaa.com

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THE TV BEAT
Be sure to check your local listings. Outdoor Life Network (OLN) - Thursday, July 31, 7 to 9 p.m. Central Time. Defining Moments: 2003 Tour de France

Outdoor Life Network (OLN) - Thursday, July 31, 9:30 to 10 p.m. Central Time. Hi Tec Adventure Race 2: Detroit, MI.

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BACK TO THE FUTURE
Bill Rodgers has signed a three-year deal to represent Etonic, a shoe company that sponsored him back in the 1980s. For the latest on Boston Billy, click on:
www.runningnetwork.com/news/etonicsignsbillrodgers03.html

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THE CLOSER
Thunder and lightning kept your editor from the starting line of the Rec Center Runs last Saturday on Washington Island in Door County, WI. Just getting there would have required a potentially rocky ferry boat ride and a soaking-wet bike ride. I was excited to do this race but decided to cancel. However, for those who made it, the weather cooperated, the rain actually stopped for a while and the races were held with about about 80 people participating. And the winners, please. In the 10K, it was Josh Nigrin in 33:25 and Jody Benware in 45:03. In the 5K, honors went to Casey Delzell in 19:32 and Julie Anderson in 25:45. Wait till next year!