April 2003
Chicago Athlete

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Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express. Enjoy the read. Remember, at Chicago Athlete . . . we are . . . who you are . . . Chicago Athlete.


THE SCOOP:
Bike Chicago 2003 kicks off its three-month run on Thursday. The Mayor's Office of Special Events, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and others have teamed up for more than 125 events. If you haven't been out on your bike for a while, do it. Better yet, try riding to work. You'll feel invigorated and keep a car off the roads. For more information, go to: http://wwwBikeChicago2003.org Now's the time to schedule a tune-up. Check out our RESOURCES page to find a bicycle shop in your neighborhood: http://www.chicagoaa.com/other/bikestores.html

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THE NEWS
The Mid-America Time Trial Series continues on Sunday with the Alberto's 20K in Hebron, 10 miles northwest of Woodstock. The hilly out-and-back course has four turns. The event is sanctioned by American Bicycle Racing and will have competition in quite a few classes and age categories. Top riders in the series so far are Mike York, Mark Swartzendruber, Kristen Meshberg and Anne Meyers. Scott Pearson is the top rider registered at this point. For info, call 312-819-1394, or e-mail: nozickag@bcbsil.com.

Ottawa's Hammerfest Triathlon, an Olympic-distance race on June 21, will award raffle prizes totaling more than $750 in value to the first 10 registrants of each week in May. For more information, e-mail: HammerfestTri@hotmail.com, or go to: http://www.hammerfesttri.com/

Ultramarathon runner Roy Pirrung of Sheboygan, WI, finished his four-day run from Manitowoc, WI to Valparaiso, IN right on schedule on Sunday. The 250-mile (at least) run publicized the opening of the new Natural Ovens Bakery in Valparaiso. Natural Ovens is one of Pirrung's chief sponsors.

Chicago Endurance Sports has been named official training program of the Chicago Distance Classic and the Fleet Feet Festival Women's 5K/10K races For information, go to: http://www.chicagoendurancesports.com

The Flying Pig Marathon this Sunday in Cincinnati reports record entries of more than 7,200 for the marathon and 1,200 for the 10K. The race starts at 6:30 a.m. (EDT), and that's good because temperatures are predicted to go near 70 later in the day. Chicago Athlete's Bob Richards will be at "The Pig" and will file a race report that will be posted on Monday at http://www.chicagoaa.com. We urge you to share your "Pig" experiences with Chicago Athlete at: editorial@chicagoaa.com, and we might just share them them with our readers! For more race information, go to: http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com

Dan Mayer, 31, of Wheaton, ran a strong 2:24:30 at the Kentucky Derby Marathon in Louisville on Saturday, taking sixth place. Mayer needs to run a sub-2:22 to qualify for next year's Olympic Trials. Meanwhile, Dorothy Gach, 31, of Morton Grove, ran 2:53:46 on Sunday at the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. She was seventh. Women need to run sub-2:48 for the Trials.

Emisael Favela and Lisa Menninger were fastest at Sunday's Ravenswood 5K. For the story, click on: http://www.chicagoaa.com/news/ravenswood03final.html To view the Chicago Athlete photo gallery, click on: http://www.chicagoaa.com/features/ravenswood03photos.ht ml

Jacek Kafel and Jenny Spangler were the winners at the Universal Sole Lakefront 10-Miler on Saturday. For the story, click on: http://www.chicagoaa.com/news/lakefront10_03final.html

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THE WEEKEND
Bike rides and races, road races, paddling races, out-of-town events and more have this weekend's schedule filled to the brim. The weather looks like a winner, so get out and enjoy! For the complete schedule, go to: http://www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

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THE INDUSTRY NEWS
"Spira" is the new brand name for "ShoeSpring," it was announced this week. The young company has two new "spring" shoes in development for the fall. If you haven't seen them, these shoes have actual springs in the heel and forefoot sections of the shoe. By the way, "Spira" means "spring" in Latin. For information, contact local rep Mary Toomey at: RunGirlRun123@aol.com.

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THE TRAVEL SECTION
SOS Rhino is looking for a few hardy souls to meet the 2004 Borneo Rhino Challenge. Trek up Mt. Kinabalu and cycle along the northern tip of Borneo. Dr. Nan Schaffer will be speaking from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 2 at Bistro Pacific 680 N. Lake Shore Drive, to interested participants. If you want to learn more about the trip, call 312-222-0440, or e-mail maggie@sosrhino.org

Active Endeavors will present a showing of the Banff Film Festival at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Park West Theater, 322 W. Armitage, Chicago. The show features rock climbing, kayaking, skiing and "rugged unicycling." Tickets are $10. For more information, go to: http://www.activeendeavors.com/homepage/promotions/ban ff.htm

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THE CLOSER
Looking for something different this weekend? Check out the Lakewood Trail Challenge, a 5.25-mile fun race through fields and forests near Wauconda. You can learn more at: http://www.runswim.com, or call 847-853-8531