Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express.
Great Information. Quick Read.

SCOOP

Three-Time Tour De France Champion Greg LeMond Makes Appearance at Bokoo Bikes!

Bokoo Bikes, the bicycle retailer located on Level One of Marshall Field's flagship State Street store, will host a Grand Opening gala on Tuesday, April 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. In addition to LeMond, several members of Team TDS-Schwalbe will be onhand to celebrate the opening.
For more information, check out www.bokoobikes.com

****************************************************************

UPCOMING SEMINARS

On Saturday, April 24 at 9 a.m. in Countryside, IL, Greg Meeker (US National Cycling Team, 25 years coaching and founder of Capitol Velo Club) will be conducing a cornering women-only clinic. This is for non-competitive to Cat 1 racers. Bring road bike, helmet and appropriate clothes. Experts will be onhand to check bike fit. For information, contact Kristen Meshberg, 708- 442-5086 or via email at Kristen.Meshberg@edelman.com. You can also check out, redlanternevents.com.

Fleet Feet Sports and The Coaching Center present a Heart Rate Monitor Seminar this Saturday, April 24th at the Accelerated Rehab Center, 2400 N. Sheffield, from 2 - 4 p.m. Conducted by Coach Bill Leach, attendees can expect demonstrations on monitor use along with a question/answer segment.
For more information, check out www.coachleach.com or www.fleetfeetchicago.com.

University of Chicago's physical therapy department is having a Running Clinic On Saturday, May 1st from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Bally's Health Club, 1301 E. 47th. Cost is $10. The clinic is geared toward first time marathoners with information on nutrition, hydration, training and appropriate footwear.
For more information, call UC Physical Therapy/Bally's at 773- 326-4613.

Whole Foods Presents the Chicago Distance Classic Seminar Series 1) April 27- Kick off to the Chicago Distance Classic (John "The Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield)
2) May 26 - Injury Prevention (Dr. Arculeo of Peak Performance).
3) June 22 - Nutrition "Fact from Fiction" (Gatorade Sports Science Institute).
4) July 20 - Chicago Distance Classic Race Prep Clinic (John "The Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield.)
All seminars begin at 7 p.m. and are free, however space is limited. For more information, RSVP to Beth Salinger at beth@endurance- marketing.com.

***************************************************************

CIRCUIT STANDINGS POSTED

The 2004 CARA Circuit competition is underway. To view the standings go to:
http://www.cararuns.org/race_circuits/index.htm l#standings

To check the CARA Clydesdale Circuit standings go to:
http://www.cararuns.org/cara_info/Clydesdale/cl ydes04.html

***************************************************************

EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE FOR BIKE THE DRIVE COMING UP

Save $2 if you register online by midnight on Friday, April 30! Bike The Drive's 15 or 30 mile routes start and finish at Grant Park. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
For more information, check out www.BikeTheDrive.org

****************************************************************

UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEKEND . . . RACING SEASON IS UPON US!

On Saturday, there's the Cornering Clinic for Women Cyclists; Running events include Crazylegs Classic, Run for Rett, Spring Fling 5K, and the Miles for Smiles 5K & 10K.

For Sunday, cycling events include Siver Springs 60 and the Rock Cut Mountain Bike Rally. Running highlights include the Fox Trot 5K, Making Great Strides Half-Marathon & 5K, Ravenswood Run 5K, Universal Sole Lakefront 10 and the OSF Heritage 10K & 2-Mile Run. Triathlons include the J-Hawk Earlybird Triathlon and the Sullivan Triathlon (featured in our April issue p. 52).

For more details on these and other events, check out our searchable online calendar:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

Note: Chicago Athlete will be at the Ravenswood 5K, Universal Sole Lakefront 10 and the Making Great Strides Half- Marathon this weekend.

***************************************************************

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO DO?

"City Lights," an ice show featuring nearly 300 figure skating students-from preschoolers to seniors, will be held April 23-25 at McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Ave., the Chicago Park District's only indoor ice arena. For show times and admission information, contact McFetridge Sports Center at 773-478-2609.

****************************************************************

TRIVIA QUESTION:

We've got some complimentary entries into the Universal Sole Lakefront 10 this weekend for the first 5 people who answer this question correctly: Who has the course record for male and female and what are their times? Email your answers to editorial@chicagoaa.com

****************************************************************

CLOSER

Congratulations to all the Chicagoland area Boston Marathon finishers! We know it was tough out there. Top Illinois finishers were Jeff Watson of Chicago, 2:44:32 and Sophia Chen of Chicago in 3:04:35. Also, the top American woman was Julie Spencer, of Baraboo, WI, who finished the race in 2:56:39.

Wishing you the best in your training and racing!