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Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express.

THE SCOOP
Undoubtedly you have heard that Chicago's cupboard is bare after Sunday's sensational marathon performances in London by Paula Radcliffe and Deena Drossin. To review, Radcliffe smashed her own world record with an incredible 2:15:25, destroying her Chicago mark set last October by 1:53! Drossin put herself and America back on the marathon map, taking third in 2:21:16, a PR by 5:37! Drossin's breakthrough finally dislodged Joan Benoit Samuelson from the top rung on the American list. Samuelson's previous mark of 2:21:21 was established at America's Marathon Chicago in 1985. So the bottom line is the men's world and American records, 2:05:38 by Khalid Khannouchi, and the women's world and U.S. records all have been run in London. As recently as 2001, Chicago had all four. This will be the ultimate challenge for LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon executive race director Carey Pinkowski. Stay tuned!

What was Radcliffe's payday on Sunday? According to "The Guardian" newspaper in London, she made about $1 million.

Read more at these links:
www.runningnetwork.com/news/london03drossinAR.html
www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=20983.html


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THE NEWS
A public meeting to discuss a proposed "Flyway" on the lakefront path is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at Navy Pier Festival Hall, Room 329. The Chicago Department of Transportation, Bureau of Bridges and Transit will present its plans for an elevated section of path that would abut Lake Shore Drive from Jane Addams Park to the south to the existing path on the north side of the Chicago River. It would cross Grand Ave., Illinois St. and the Ogden Slip and would run along the west wall of Lake Point Tower. For info, Call 312-744-3591.

The Chicago Triathlon has a title sponsor. Accenture, a financial services firm, has signed on for this year with an option to renew in 2004. Race founder/owner Jan Caille is ecstatic. Check out: www.chicagoaa.com/news/chicagotriathlon03sponsor.html

It also was announced this week that Subaru is the new title sponsor of the American Birkebeiner XC Ski Marathon in Hayward, WI (Feb. 19-21 next year). The car company also is title sponsor of the Subaru Chicago Bike Show & Family Fitness Expo (March 26-28 next year) at Navy Pier.

More than 125 events are planned for Bike Chicago 2003, the city's annual celebration of cycling. To get a preview, check out our May issue, due out in less than two weeks. For detailed listings right now, check out: www.bikechicago2003.org

The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon has been low-key with few frills until now. The long-running race will offer some prize money as an incentive to attract faster runners on Oct. 5. Check out: www.chicagoaa.com/news/milwaukeelakefront03prizemoney.html

"Ask the Pro Fitness Screenings" are being offered at both Fleet Feet stores in conjunction with Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, the first Monday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Piper's Alley, and through the Halsted Street Multiplex the third Saturday of every month (including April 19) at Lincoln Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 773-271-3338 to book your spot.

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THE AWARD
At its annual party on Sunday, the Chicago Triathlon Club showed off the traveling trophy it has received for taking for title in last year's USA Triathlon Mideast Regional Club Racing Series (MERCRS). Congrats!

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THE LIST
According to SGMA International, here are the top 10 sports activities and recreation endeavors in the United States, based on participation in 2002. Surveys were done by American Sports Data. Numbers are millions.
1. Bowling 53.2
2. Treadmill Exercise 43.4
3. Freshwater Fishing (not Fly) 42.6
4. Tent Camping 40.3
5. Billiards/Pool 39.5
6. Stretching 38.4
7. Fitness Walking 38.0
8. Day Hiking 36.8
9. Basketball 36.6
10. Running/Jogging 35.9

The complete report is available at:
www.sgma.com/reports/2003/report1049483640-30128.html

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THE RESULTS Chris Wehrman found some extra speed on the last mile and beat training partner Scott Anderson by one second at the Hop Around the Clock 8K in Lincoln Park. Megan Levin was the runaway women's winner on a beautiful lakefront morning. Check out: www.chicagoaa.com/news/hopclock03final.html

The Central Masters Illinois Invitational Short Course State Swimming Championships were contested over the weekend at the Norris Aquatic Center at Evanston's Northwestern University. Team results are posted. Individual results will be posted soon.

A plethora of other traditional April road races spread out the top talent. North Central College alumni were in charge at the Spring Ahead 5K in Naperville last Saturday as Dan Mayer won the road 5K in 15:02 while Bob Cisler and John Weigel went 1-2 in the trail 5K in 16:05 and 16:17 respectively. Women's winners were Janeth Salazar- Ohst (road) and Bryan Missig (trail). Elsewhere, North Central grad Ron Piro, 48, won the Lisle 5K Run for Education. CARA Male Runner of the Year Tom Bellos won the Just a Little Run 4-Miler in Lansing. For all these results and more, including River to River, check out: www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

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THE WEEKEND AHEAD
With holidays on tap for many, the racing schedule is light. Check out: www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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THE PEP TALK
If you're a cyclist, it's a good weekend for bad weather. Keep looking ahead. Tour of Illinois/Wisconsin Road races are on the schedule for April 26 and 27 in Athens, IL and Laomi, IL. For info, call Derek Ewing at 217-624-2016, or e-mail dewing@motion.net.

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THE REMINDER
The May 25 (Sunday) Lakeshore Marathon is seeking crew and volun- teers. Special programs and benefits are available to clubs and groups. Go to www.lakeshoremarathon.com/volunteers.html

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THE CLOSER
Good luck to the local runners at this Monday's 107th Boston Marathon. Illinois has 865 runners registered. Only Massachusetts (4,474), California (1,250) and New York (1,181) have more. Best of luck to runners from Wisconsin (310) and Indiana (241) as well.