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Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express

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THE SCOOP:
British star Paula Radcliffe has recovered from a disastrous accident with a cyclist on March 8 and will try to break her world record for 26.2 miles on Sunday at the London Marathon. Radcliffe, who set the women's record of 2:17:18 last year at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, suffered a dislocated jaw, gashed knees bruised shoulders and a bloody chin in the accident on a trail in Albuquerque, NM, where she was training at altitude. According to the Associated Press, a girl riding with her family veered out in front of Radcliffe, catching one of Paula's legs with the bike. Radcliffe's biggest complaint was that she wasn't able to eat an apple for more than two weeks. According to London race director Dave Bedford, Radcliffe is ready. She will be in a separate women's race but will have six male pacers to satisfy the IAAF's requirement of having a mixed race for a world record. "If the weather conditions are good, I think this girl can run 2:15," Bedford said in the AP story. "That's achievable. That's my instinct." Men's favorite is Gezahegne Abera of Ethiopia.

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THE NEWS:
Cyclists Mike York and Anne Meyer of Athletes by Design, had the fastest times on Sunday as they braved severe wind chills at the John Fraser Memorial 10-Mile Time Trial in Maple Park. York did his ride in 22:41.89 to beat runner-up Mark Swartzendruber, who clocked a 23:25.64. Meyer was timed in 28:58.95 to nudge Susan Burton, who rode a 29:39.64. "Considering how cold it was (low 30s with wind chills in the low 20s), incredibly, we had a record turnout of close to 180 people. I think they heard about the chili," event director Mike Farrell said, referring to some of the post-race food. For complete results, go to: www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

Scott Anderson of Chicago and Briana Stott-Messick were the Individual winners on Sunday at the 22nd annual Race That's Good for Life 5K in Oak Park. For more coverage, click on: www.chicagoaa.com/news/goodforlife03final.html

Veteran triathlete Bob Scott will speak at the post-race festivities after this Saturday's Spring Ahead 5K Trail Run in Naperville. Scott, 72, is a four-time age-group champion at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, and has run the Boston Marathon 20 times. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. with a field Of 1,000 runners expected. Call 630-961-2992 for information.

Lisa Menninger of LaGrange represented Illinois at the Michelob Ultra USA Women's Marathon Championship on Saturday in St. Louis. Menninger ran a 3:02:02 on a tough course on a tough day. Sara Wells of Edina, MN won in 2:35:37, while Colleen De Reuck of Boulder, CO, was second in 2:37:41. "Colleen De Reuck positive- splitted by five minutes. That's all you need to know about That race," Menninger said of the hilly course. For more, go to: www.runningnetwork.com/news/stlouismarathonelites03final.html

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THE WEEKEND AHEAD:
The Central Masters State Swim Meet at Northwestern University will bring out the top recreational age-group swimmers from around Illinois this weekend. Action begins at the Norris Aquatic Center at 5 p.m. on Friday, and continues throughout the weekend. For more information on the CMSA, check out: www.cmsaswim.usms.org/

The Folks on Spokes Bike Ride in University Park and 10 running races, including Sunday's Hop Around the Clock 8K in Lincoln Park, provide a full calendar of local competition this weekend. Be sure to look for the Chicago Athlete tent at the Hop Around the Clock and stop by and say hello. Do you have a CA Discount Card? Get yours on Sunday and get discounts at a lot of local shops. For the event schedule: Check out www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html For information on the Discount Card: www.chicagoaa.com/news/Discountcards.html

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THE RESULTS:
The John Fraser Memorial 10-Mile Cycling Time Trial in Maple Park, the Chicago Lakefront 50K, Ringing into Spring 5K in Valparaiso IN, the South Shore Half-Marathon in Milwaukee and the Race That's Good for Life 5K are among the results posted on our Web site. Check out: www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

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THE BOSTON COUNTDOWN:
The Boston Marathon is only 11 days away for the field of more than 20,000 runners, which includes 860 from Illinois. Chicago Athlete writer Mark Buciak will conduct his final Boston Bound Clinic this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Fleet Feet Sports Piper's Alley, 210 W. North Avenue, Chicago. Mark has run Boston 23 times and has plenty of timely advice on how to run and watch this historic race. The clinic is free. Call 312-587-3338 to reserve your spot. Read Mark's Checklist for Your Best Boston Marathon (April issue) at: www.chicagoaa.com/features/boston03.html

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THE TV BEAT:
CBS 2 has been named official TV broadcast partner for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in a five-year deal. CBS 2 sports director Mike Adamle will be anchor for the marathon telecast on Oct. 12.

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THE REMINDER:
Saturday April 26 is Friends of the Park/Chicago Park District Earth Day clean-up. Volunteers are needed. For info, check out: www.fotp.org/programs/volunteersInPrksProj/earthDayPrksCleanUp.asp