Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express. Enjoy the read!

THE SCOOP
The Chicago Half-Marathon will be a week later than usual in 2004. The race date will be Sunday, Sept. 19, race director Susan Nicholl of Dillon Productions announced on Monday. "We are making this slight change to avoid a conflict with a major convention, for greater hotel availability and due to the fact that it takes place three weeks before the Chicago Marathon and fits better with the area marathon training schedules who are on target to run between 12 and 14 miles that week," Nicholl said. For more information, go to:
www.chicagohalfmarathon.com

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THE RESULTS
The Chicago Fall Lakefront 50/50 drew close to 200 ultramarathoners last weekend on the south lakefront. 50-mile winners were Barry Schliesmann, 41, of Kenilworth, 7:02:33; and Christine Byers, 35, of LaPorte, IN, 7:43:07. 50K winners were Kip Kinn, 44, of Bucyrus, OH, 3:21:30; and Kathryn Froeh- lich, 41, of Northbrook, 4:03:06. Total finishers were: 50M - 42; 50K - 146. See all the results from last weekend's local races at:
www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

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THE NEWS
You probably know by now that Kenyans Margaret Okayo and Martin Lel won the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday. Here is the Running Network race wrapup:
www.runningnetwork.com/news/nymarathon03final.html

An elite marathon runner ranking system has been announced by ING, the sponsor of the New York City Marathon. Elite runners will be ranked on their three best performances over a two-year period. The top-ranked runner will get $1 million. There wil be total prize money of $1.7 million. Marathons most likely included are: Tokyo Women's, Paris, Flora London, Boston, 2004 Olympics, Real Berlin, LaSalle Bank Chicago, ING Amsterdam and ING New York City. To learn more, visit:
www.ingnycmarathon.org/news/rankings.html

Rachel Townsend, who collapsed after finishing the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, died from an arrhythmia caused by mitral valve prolapse, a heart valve disorder. For more information, see:
www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-mara04.html The Tribune also carried a story, but to view it on the Web, you must register. See:
www.chicagotribune.com

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DID YOU KNOW?
F o r r u n n i n g , b i k i n g a n d h i k i n g , s e p a r a t e t r a i l s p r o v i d e b e t t e r a n d s a f e r c o r r i d o r s t h a n b u s y s t r e e t s . T h e I l l i n o i s T r a i l s C o n s e r v a n c y a c t i v e l y p r o m o t e s c o n s t r u c t i o n o f m o r e t r a i l s . I t i s a v o l u n t e e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s u p p o r t e d b y m e m b e r s h i p d u e s a n d d o n a t i o n s , a n d w o r k s w i t h t r a i l g r o u p s a n d g o v e r n m e n t a g e n c i e s t o p r o v i d e a s s i s t- a n c e i n o b t a i n i n g r i g h t - o f - w a y s , r a i l b a n k i n g a b a n d o n e d r a i l r o a d s , e d u c a t i n g o n t h e b e n e f i t s o f t r a i l s , p r o v i d i n g a s s i s t a n c e i n o r g a n i z i n g a n d o v e r c o m i n g o p p o s i t i o n . F o r m e m b e r s h i p i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l 8 1 5 - 5 6 9 - 2 4 7 2 , e m a i l b e b o m o o r e @ a o l . c o m , o r w r i t e I T C , P O B o x 1 0 , C a p r o n , I L 6 1 0 1 2 . The Illinois Trails Conservancy has a new Web site address. Log onto: www.illtrails.com

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THE WEEKEND AHEAD
It's mostly running this time of year as cycling/triathlon events take a breather. If you are into cyclocross, there is an event on Sunday in Delafield, WI. You can call 262-560-1382 or go to www.wicycling.org for details. For the local schedule of races, which includes the Gobbler Hobbler in Montgomery, the Palos Park Turkey Trot, Universal Sole Cross Country in Lincoln Park (Montrose), the Westchester Veterun and Fall Frolic 4-miler in Hammond, IN, click here:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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STILL OPEN, BUT . . .
Looking ahead to Sunday, Nov. 16, openings remain in three unique events for mid-November, the Ride N Tie (run-bike) at Busse Woods (847-670-9255); the Health Bridge Fitness Center Indoor Triathlon in Crystal Lake (815-444-2906); and the Go Vertical climb at Sears Tower (202-455-0501). If you want to get into any of these events, act fast! Not many spots remain.

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ATTENTION WINTER LOVERS
It's time to make your plans for the season ahead. Ski Dazzle: The Chicago Ski Show & Snowboard Expo, is Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 6-9 at the Donald H. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. For information, visit:
www.skidazzle.com

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NAVIGATING OUR WEB SITE (http://www.chicagoaa.com)
To find race results, just type in name of the race in the Race Name Search field. If it's prior to August 2002, click on the Archives Results button. If you're stuck or can't find them, feel free to contact us with any questions at editorial@chicagoaa.com.

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THE TV REMINDER:
Outdoor Life Network will broadcast a one-hour wrapup of the St. Croix Half- Ironman at 11 a.m. Thursday, Chicago time.

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THE CLOSER
Our November-December issue of Chicago Athlete is at local specialty stores and health clubs. Pick up your FREE copy now. For a location near you, click on:
www.chicagoaa.com/magazine/findus.html