Outdoors report: Atchison has an early wake up call
John Atchison has an early wake up call Sunday. Atchison, the president of the NIU TriDogs triathlon team, will compete in the 2008 Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon which starts at 6:30 a.m. at Balbo Dr. and Columbus Dr. in the Loop. Atchison will run the 13.1 mile race in an attempt to enter into Corral A for the Chicago Marathon. The Distance Classic is the last chance for runners to try and enter into the coveted Top 100 or into Corral A. The Qualifying time for Corral A is 1 hour 26 minutes. Atchison said he has run the same distance several times and is usually right around 1 hour 23 minutes. “I've made this time before,” Atchison said. “Now, it is just a matter of doing it in a competitive setting. I really want Corral A so I don't have to zig-zag past all the runners.” Through the cross training he does with the TriDogs, Atchison said his running has improved drastically and he one day hopes to get to the point that he is in the Top 100 and privy to the VIP treatment the elite runners receive. Online registration for the Distance Classic is already closed and there is no race day registration. There is a 12,000 runner cap on registrants. If you are interested in a last-minute registration, contact Beth Salinger at beth@endurance-marketing.com or call her at 312.573.1737 for information on how to sign up in person.
Shabbona standings
Week three is in the books for the Shabbona Young Anglers Fishing League. The fishing headed to the area by the dam for week three. Jack Warner of Hinckley had the biggest catch with a 25” catfish. The overall team points are as follows: Reel'n Royals 171 points, Killer Bass 139 points, Gillinators 103 points, Bobberheads 73 points, Fly Fish'n Fools 63 points and Team Catfish 57 points. The individual season leaders are: Sam Kimpan from Hinckley with 43 points, Cristian Simpkins from Hinckley with 40 points, Steven Urda from Shabbona with 37 points and Alex Perales from Hinckley with 36 points.
Hunting season nears
In accordance with Illinois Law, if you are want to be a hunter this fall and were born after Jan. 1, 1980 you've go to take a free Illinois Hunter Safety Education Course coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The course allows for hunting licenses to be issued and consists of information covering hunting regulations, hunter ethics and responsibility, archery, firearms, ammunition, first aid, wildlife identification and conservation. A minimum of 10 hours of instruction is involved. “Hunters of all ages and all levels of expertise need to focus on safety to make sure they and their hunting partners avoid hunting-related accidents,” IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood said in a press release. “One of the best ways to prepare for the upcoming hunting seasons is to take a safety education course, many of which are available this summer.” Once the course and final exam have been completed, hunters will receive a certificate of competency.