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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:
Robert Gary of Evanston won the men's 4K title on a muddy course on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the USA Cross Country Championships in Houston, TX. The Ohio State graduate chalked up his first national title with a 12:53. Also of note, Wheeling's Edwardo Torres (Colorado) was third in the men's 12K in 39:04, and Gary came back to place eighth in the 12K with a 39:45. In the men's 8K Juniors event, Micah VanDenend of Glen Ellyn was 11th. For more on the championships, including all of the other races, click here

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SETTING IT STRAIGHT:
The Lakeshore Marathon is set for 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, starting in Grant Park. When we made the switch in our print calendar from the orig- Inal date of May 4, we inadvertently changed it to Monday, May 26 and that's how it appears in the 2003 Annual Event Guide. We're sorry for the confusion. One more time. It's 6 a.m., Sunday, May 25. For more information click here

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THE NEWS:
Dick Pond Athletics, in its 33rd year serving the Chicago-area running ommunity, is opening a fourth store. The new location will be up-and- running soon at 303 N. Second St. (Route 31), in St. Charles. Watch for grand opening details for this store, which will be managed by Jay Jackson. Dick Pond's other stores are in Carol Stream, Lisle and Barrington. For more information, go to: www.dickpondathletics.com

A Woman's Heart Day Health Fair will be conducted this Friday, Feb. 21, From 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Union Station, 210 S. Canal St. Presented by The Sister to Sister: Everyone Has A Heart Foundation, the Health Fair will offer free heart-health screenings, cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure testing. Each screening includes one-on-one counseling with a licensed health-care professional, risk assessment, on-site results and follow-up by mail with detailed results. For more information, click on: www.sistertosister.org/chicago.html

The American Birkebeiner 51K XC ski marathon will go the full route this Saturday, Feb. 22, in Hayward, WI. There had been some question because of thin snow on portions of the course. Race spokesperson Leslie Hampton said Tuesday that everything is a go for a finish on Main Street in Hayward. About 400 Illinois skiers are registered for either the Birkie or the 23K Kortelopet. Latest Hayward forecast? Snow Friday night and Saturday with temperatures of 15 below at the start! Brrr! For more information go to: www.chicagoaa.com/features/BirkieJan03.html or click here www.birkie.com

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RESTORE YOUR BIKE RIGHTS!
In 1998, the Illinois Supreme Court made a decision that essentially made cyclists second-class citizens on the roads of Illinois. A Bill to change that has been introduced and will go before the State House Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning in Springfield. HB 1248 deserves to be passed and needs support from local cyclists. Thank you to the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation for giving us the heads-up on this situation. The CBF provided the following links. Fax your legislator TODAY at www.biketraffic.org/boub_fax.html Find your legislator: www.biketraffic.org/boub_search.html

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THIS WEEKEND:
The Hustle Up the Hancock Stair Climb is this weekend. Competitors will be going 94 or 42 floors, starting at 7 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago's Advocacy and Education Programs. Also on tap on Sunday is the third Indoor Time Trial put on by Prairie Path Cycles. For information on all the weekend events, click on: www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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THE TV BEAT:
ESPN2 has announced that the air date for the one-hour Ironman Wisconsin show is now scheduled at 3 p.m. (CST) on Saturday, April 5. Always check local listings for last-minute changes.

If you have a satellite dish, KDLH-TV in Duluth, MN, will be providing race footage from this Saturday's American Birkebeiner, from 4 to 4:10 p.m. at these coordinates: Telstar 6 1-J.

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TOURING THE TOUR:
Ever wanted to be on a bike tour that followed the Tour de France. Ever wanted to get a glimpse of Lance Armstrong in action in cycling's Super Bowl? You still can if you contact VeloSport Vacations of Bloomington, IN. They still have some openings for guided trips that will follow Stages 2-10 (Champagne to the Alps) of the Tour. For complete details, call 800-988-9833, or go to: www.velovacations.com

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THE CLOSER:
Here's how you can show you really care about bicycling in our state this year. The Illinois National Bicycle Month License Plate Program is back for 2003. The colorful license plates replace your current plates during April and May and cost $25. They are authorized and manufactured by the Secretary of State. Proceeds benefit the League of Illinois Bicyclists advocacy efforts. Get applications at www.bikelib.org, or by calling 630-462-5427.

The 2003 Chicago Athlete Annual Event Guide is in stores and health clubs. Pick up your copy and start making plans for the coming year. Enjoy!