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

*** SPONSORED BY THE 5K P.A.C.E. RACE SERIES ***

The P.A.C.E. Race 5K is Saturday, September 18, in Chicago's Lincoln Park. Part of a 19-city race series, the mission of this 5K event is to raise awareness and support for funding research to eliminate prostate cancer. Click here for details:,br> www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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IRONMAN WISCONSIN WRAP UP

Top Illinois Finishers

* Rick Mann from Bethalto (M35-39) 9:37:04
* Diane Faretta from Chicago (W40-44) 11:56:13

Click here for more information like this in our Ironman WI Notes & Quotes
www.chicagoaa.com/news/ironmanWI04notes.html

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YOU MAY WANT MORE THAN A U-LOCK

An alert has been issued for bicyclists to purchase an additional locking system if they own a U-lock designed lock, having learned that these locks are seriously compromised and are at risk of being easily picked. For more, go to:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/CBFlockalertSept04.html

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Girls in the Game (GIG), which provides and promotes sports opportunities, health education and leadership programs to girls in the Chicagoland area, is looking for volunteers to pass out race packets at The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon expo. (They get a $15 donation for every volunteer). If interested call 312-633- 4263 or email kathi@girlsinthegame.org. To volunteer with their after school sports & health programs, email christie@girlsinthegame.org

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BIKE SURVEY SENT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS

The League of Illinois Bicyclist, along with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, just sent out a legislator survey to all IL State Senators and Representatives, covering a range of state-related bicycle issues. You can help get your legislators' attention by giving their offices a call. Mention that you're a constituent, and ask them to fill out the bicycle issues survey that they should be receiving. To see the survey and background info, visit
www.bikelib.org/survey04/state.htm

To find out your State Senator and State Representative contact info, go to:
www.elections.state.il.us/DLS/ Pages/DLSAddressCrit.asp

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POST-OLYMPIC FOLLOW UP

This past spring the Kenosha & Racine Bike Clubs hosted a fund raising recreational bike ride to assist Olympic cyclist Erin Veenstra-Mirabella in her bid for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens---Erin's Ride. Well, the Racine, WI, native made it and won a bronze medal in the points race, contributing to the U.S. Cycling Team's biggest medal haul since 1984. For more, go to:
www.sacbee.com

And . . . PEORIA'S TIM BROE TAKES USA 5K TITLE

www.american- trackandfield.com/news/broewinsusa5k.html

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NEW TRAIL ALERT

The Major Taylor Bike Trail officially opened on August 22. For more on the trail, check out: http://biketraffic.org

Ummmm . . . Who's Major Taylor? Read up on this important cyclist and his local connection in our March 2004 feature:
www.chicagoaa.com/features/majortaylorMar04.html

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LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON UPDATE

Top Americans
www.chicagoaa.com/news/chicagomarathon04americansSept04.html

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UPCOMING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

* Dannon Duathlon in Naperville is one of the few duathlons in the area.
* Fleet Feet Invitational Mile. The $1,000 purse includes a combination of cash and gift certificates for the 1st - 3rd place men and women. For more information contact Greg Evans at 630-327-1619 or gregevansflw@hotmail.com.
* USA Triathlon Age Group Championshps in Shrevesport, LA.
* AIDS Run/Walk 5K benefits the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
* Chicago Half Marathon will offer a free, post-race concert by Little Feat on Sunday.

For more on these and a bunch of other events happening this weekend, check out:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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WORKOUT WITH 'SELF' ON SATURDAY

On Saturday, September 18, SELF Magazine will host a "Workout in the Park" in Lincoln Park. You can take fitness classes from Crunch, test your skills on a climbing wall, get a massage, and there will be many health and beauty product samples, all for only $10. For more info, visit www.self.com.

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CANOEING BY MOONLIGHT

The Friends of the Chicago River are hosting "Moonlight at Skokie Lagoons" on September 25. For more information:
www.chicagoriver.org

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CLOSER

Overheard after the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin:
"The first mile of the bike, the road looked like a shopping isle in a WalMart store with tires, bottles, energy bars, gels, towels, sandwiches all strewn out on the street!"

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Wishing you the best in your training and racing!