The Steamboat Classic is a running race featuring 4 mile and 15K events in Peoria, Illinois. In 2019, the race drew about 1100 participants. The four-mile race has been described as the world's fastest. The world best times for both men and women, have been set at the Steamboat Classic.[1]

Steamboat Classic
StatusActive
VenueAdams and Main streets, Downtown
Location(s)Peoria, Illinois
InauguratedAugust 3, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-08-03)
FounderIllinois Valley Striders
Previous eventJune 17, 2023
Attendance1,100 (2019)

History

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The Illinois Valley Striders (IVS) created the Steamboat Classic in 1974. The first race was held on August 3, 1974.[2] 176 runners raced from downtown to Glen Oak Park and back.[3]

The race took a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Route

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The race is open to all levels of ability and all ages; runners, walkers, and joggers all participate.[5]

The route for the USATF Certified 4 mile race is a flat course through the downtown streets of Peoria. It is often referred to as "one of the world’s fastest 4 mile races."[6]

The 15K routes through hilly loops in Glen Oak Park.[6] It is known as Illinois' toughest 15k.[3][6]

The event also includes a 1 mile Fun Run/Walk.[7]

Champions

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In 1995, Josphat Machuka of Kenya set the unofficial world four-mile road record with a time of 17:28.[3][8]

Men's 4-mile champions

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Men's Champions
Year Name Country Time
2022 Tyler Owens USA 20:17
2021 Robert Murphy USA 20:19
2020 No race
2019 Jeffrey Eggleston USA 19:15
2018 Alec Olson USA 19:57
2017 Tommy Curtin USA 18:08
2016 Johnny Crain USA 18:25
2015 Moses Kipkosgei KEN 18:19
2014 Sean Quigly USA 18:08
2013 Shadrack Kosgei KEN 18:09
2012 Sahdrack Kosgei KEN 18:01
2011 Kevin Chelimo KEN 18:02
2010 Shadrack Kosgei KEN 17:36
2009 Riduoane Harroufi MOR 17:44
2008 Riduoane Harroufi MOR 18:17
2007 John Korir KEN 17:53
2006 John Korir KEN 18:16
2005 Shadrack Kosgei KEN 17:45
2004 Luke Kipkosgei KEN 17:36
2003 Shadrack Kosgei KEN 17:34
2002 Tim Broe USA 17:47
2001 Shadrack Hoff RSA 17:45
2000 Jon Brown ENG 18:16
1999 Khalid Khannouchi MOR 17:52
1998 Khalid Khannouchi MOR 17:30
1997 Khalid Khannouchi MOR 17:42
1996 Philemon Hanneck ZIM 17:41
1995 Josphat Machuka KEN 17:24
1994 Lameck Aguta KEN 17:43
1993 Martin Pitayo MEX 17:53
1992 Rodney DeHaven USA 17:59
1991 Mauricio Gonzalez MEX 18:07
1990 Rodney DeHaven USA 17:59
1989 Andrew Lloyd AUS 17:58
1988 Joseph Kipsang KEN 17:58
1987 Yobes Ondeki KEN 17:54
1986 Arturo Barrios MEX 17:34
1985 Phil Coppess USA 18:26
1984 Martyn Brewer USA 18:27
1983 John Wellerding USA 18:20
1982 Pete ffitch USA 18:51
1981 Glenn Herold USA 18:53
1980 Dave Irion USA 19:07
1979 Dave Hoover USA 19:40
1978 Dan Dwyer USA 19:22
1977 Paul Heck USA 19:40
1976 Paul Heck USA 19:31
1975 Michael Kelly USA 20:04
1974 Dave Hoover USA 20:48

Women's 4-mile champions

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In 1995, Delillah Asiago of Kenya set the women's unofficial world four-mile road record with a time of 19:28.[3][8]

Women's Champions
Year Name Country Time
2022 Stephanie Brown Brokaw USA 22:32
2021 Ericka Waterman USA 22:29
2020 No race
2019 Jane Bareikis USA 22:25
2018 Jenelle Deatherage USA 20:43
2017 Diane Nukuri BUR 20:49
2016 Diane Nukuri BUR 20:29
2015 Sarah Boyle USA 20:51
2014 Cynthia Lemo KEN 20:00
2013 Risper Gezabwa KEN 20:42
2012 Risper Gezabwa KEN 20:26
2011 Diane Nukuri BUR 20:41
2010 Edna Kiplagat KEN 19:56
2009 Kim Smith NZL 19:38
2008 Kim Smith NZL 20:00
2007 Rehima Kedir ETH 20:26
2006 Lornah Kiplagat NED 19:43
2005 Constantina Tomescu-Dita ROM 20:47
2004 Yasuko Hashimoto JPN 20:40
2003 Constantina Tomescu-Dita ROM 20:15
2002 Colleen DeReuck USA 19:59
2001 Lornah Kiplagat KEN 19:33
2000 Colleen deReuck RSA 20:05
1999 Colleen deReuck RSA 20:10
1998 Colleen deReuck RSA 20:12
1997 Colleen deReuck RSA 19:55
1996 Joyce Chepchumba KEN 19:58
1995 Delillah Asiago KEN 19:28
1994 Jane Omoro KEN 20:31
1993 Carolyn Schuwalow AUS 20:21
1992 Olga Appell MEX 20:14
1991 Wanda Panfil POL 20:28
1990 Susan Lee CAN 20:10
1989 Chris Pfitzinger NZL 20:37
1988 Francie Larrieu USA 20:11
1987 Lorraine Moller NZL 20:16
1986 Lorraine Moller NZL 20:24
1985 Priscilla Welch ENG 21:14
1984 Suzanne Tuffy USA 21:31
1983 Wendy Van Mierlo CAN 21:04
1982 Chris Reid USA 21:31
1981 Beverly Enslow USA 22:12
1980 Janae Hunzicker USA 25:29
1979 Jan Ensrud USA 22:54
1978 Beverly Enslow USA 24:08
1977 Beverly Enslow USA 23:36
1976 Carol Cook USA 22:47
1975 Carol Cook USA 22:52
1974 Carol Cook USA 24:13

Steamboat Classic Hall of Fame

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The Steamboat Classic Hall of Fame was created in 1998 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the race.[9]

Steamboat Classic Hall of Fame Inductees
Year Inductee(s)
1998 Arturo Barrios

Beverly Enslow

Lorraine Moller

Steve Shostrom

Priscilla Welch

1999 Carol Cook

Tim Donovan

2000 Ed McGraw

Mark Plaatjes

2001 Rod DeHaven

Colleen DeReuck

2002 Joyce Chepchumba

Glenn Herold

2003 Khalid Khannouchi

Jerry Kokesh

2004 Hon. James Maloof

Suzanne Tuffey

2005 Martyn Brewer

Wanda Panfil

2006 Paul Christman

Lornah Kipalgat

2007 Sue Lee

Greg White

2008 Steve Jones

Carey Pinkowski

Mel Schriefer

2009 Constantina Dita
2010 Glenn Latimer
2011 Betsy Silzer
2012 Gary Childs
2013 Mary Boone
2014 Hon. Ray LaHood
2015 Jerry Riebling
2016 Gary Wesley
2017 Diane Nukuri
2018 Martha Reese

Leo Vandervlugt

2019 Joy Kessler

Philip Lockwood


References

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  1. ^ All-Time Performances- 4 miles Road Race. ARRS 25 April 2020.
  2. ^ https://www.ivs.org/Resources/Documents/Newsletters/1974/Off%20The%20Track%20-%20First%20Issue.pdf
  3. ^ a b c d Wessler, Kirk (2013-05-24). "Steamboat Classic to honor founder Steve Shostrom". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  4. ^ Eminian, Dave (2021-06-21). "How the Steamboat Classic took a chance, scaled back and came out running". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  5. ^ "Steamboat History – Steamboat Classic: June 19, 2021". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  6. ^ a b c "2023 — Steamboat Classic —". raceroster.com. 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  7. ^ "Illinois Valley Striders - Steamboat Classic". www.ivs.org. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  8. ^ a b Eminian, Dave (2022-06-18). "After nearly half a century, the Steamboat Classic still has plenty of stories to tell". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  9. ^ "Hall of Fame – Steamboat Classic: June 19, 2021". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
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