To subscribe or change your subscription information,click here.

Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express. Please accept our wishes for a happy and safe Fourth of July Weekend.

*************************************************************************
THE SCOOP
Bonjour! It's the 2,000-mile Tour de Lance, er, the Tour de France! It's not a local event, but we figured you would want to know who is on US Postal's Team for the Tour, which begins on Saturday with the prologue in Paris. Joining four-time winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong will be Americans George Hincapie and Floyd Landis; Russian Viatcheslav Ekimov, Spaniards Roberto Heras, Manuel Beltran and Jose Luis Rubiera; Czech Pavel Padrnos and Colombian Victor Hugo Pena. Postal is the only U.S.-based team at the Tour. The Outdoor Life TV Network will be covering the 2003 Tour live. The coverage starts at approximately 10:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Saturday. Here's the official web site that includes OLN TV schedules:
www.letour.fr/2003/us/index.html

*************************************************************************
THE NEWS
Julius Rotich and Briana Stott-Messick were the winners on Sunday at the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial 5K Race Against Hate in Evanston. Congratulations to all participants in this worthwhile event. Check out our story and photos at:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/byrdsong03final.html

How about Heather Gollnick of Hartford, WI! The Ironman Wisconsin champion added the inaugural Ironman Idaho title to her resume over the weekend. Learn Heather's secrets and much, much more in the post-race press release. Go to:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/ironmanidaho03gollnickwins.html

The Splish Splash Dash in Lake in the Hills brought out about almost 200 swim- mers and triathletes on Saturday. Events included 2-mile, 1-mile, 500-yard and 200-yard open-water races. For our photo gallery, click on:
www.chicagoaa.com/features/splishsplash03.html

The Park Forest Scenic 10-Miler, a Labor Day Classic, will sponsor two free track meets at Rich East High School in Park Forest this month. Runners of all abilities are encouraged to come out, race director Bud James said. For more information on the meets, set for Wednesdays July 16 & 23, go to:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/scenic10trackmeets03.html

Plenty of other running, triathlon and cycling events took place over the past weekend as summer racing moved into high gear. Of special interest, the local triathlons all came off with no water-quality problems. Check results at:
www.chicagoaa.com/results/searchable.html

*************************************************************************
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
Break out the red, white and blue. With all the Fourth of July races, this is one of the busiest weekends of the year. If you're heading to the All-American 8K in Lincoln Park, stop by the Chicago Athlete tent and get your Discount Card, good at many local stores. Besides the many runs, area cyclists can enjoy the Ultimate Chicago Neighborhood Ride or go check out the Four Bridges of Elgin. Here's the link to our searchable calendar to help you make your weekend plans: www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html So you aren't near a computer or don't have a copy of Chicago Athlete on hand? You can find some listings from our calendar under our logo every Friday morning in the Chicago Sun Times sports section.

*************************************************************************
THE TRIVIA QUESTION
Lance Armstrong wants to become the fifth person to win the Tour de France five times. Who was the fourth rider to do it? If you're first person with the right answer, we'll send you a Chicago Athlete T-shirt. Send your answer to: editorial@chicagoaa.com

*************************************************************************
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
The July/August issue of Chicago Athlete is out. You can pick up your copy at local specialty stores, health clubs or at the All-American 8K on Friday. You also can read a sampling of this edition's stories right now. Click on: www.chicagoaa.com/features/julyaugust2003list.html Note: The ad for the Frank Lloyd Wright Runs in the new issue lists the date for the event as Sept. 23. It should be Sept. 28.

*************************************************************************
THE CLOSER
The October issue of Chicago Athlete also will serve as the Official Program for The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. This is the start of an exciting three-year partnership we have entered into with the Marathon. You can read more at:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/officialmarathonprogram.html

Also, you can wish your friend, loved one or even your favorite elite racer good luck and have it printed for all to see! Click here for details:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/oct03goodluckad.html