{{Short description|Running race in Peoria, Illinois}} {{Infobox recurring event | name = Steamboat Classic | nickname = | logo = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | logo_size = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | status = Active | genre = <!-- e.g. natural phenomena, fairs, festivals, conferences, exhibitions ... --> | date = <!-- {{start date|YYYY|mm|dd}} "dates=" also works, but do not use both --> | begins = <!-- {{start date|YYYY|mm|dd}} --> | ends = <!-- {{end date|YYYY|mm|dd}} --> | frequency = <!-- Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-annually, Annually, Bi-annually, 2nd Tuesday of November, etc. --> | venue = Adams and Main streets, Downtown | location = Peoria, Illinois | coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|type:event|display=inline,title}} --> | country = | years_active = <!-- {{age|YYYY|mm|dd}} Date of the first occurrence --> | first = {{start date and age|1974|08|03}} | founder_name = Illinois Valley Striders | last = <!-- Date of most recent event; if the event will not be held again, use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --> | prev = June 17, 2023 | next = | participants = | attendance = 1,100 (2019) | capacity = | area = | budget = | activity = | leader_name = | patron = | organised = <!-- "organized=" also works --> | filing = | people = | member = | sponsor = <!-- | or sponsors = --> | website = <!-- {{URL|https://www.steamboatclassic.org}} --> | current = | footnotes = }} 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.<ref>[https://www.arrs.run/AllTime/AL_R4M.htm All-Time Performances- 4 miles Road Race]. ARRS 25 April 2020.</ref>
== History == The Illinois Valley Striders (IVS) created the Steamboat Classic in 1974. The first race was held on August 3, 1974.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Off the track - Illinois Valley striders newsletter | volume=74 | issue=1 | url=https://www.ivs.org/Resources/Documents/Newsletters/1974/Off%20The%20Track%20-%20First%20Issue.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701083240/http://ivs.org/Resources/Documents/Newsletters/1974/Off%20The%20Track%20-%20First%20Issue.pdf | archive-date=2016-07-01}}</ref> 176 runners raced from downtown to Glen Oak Park and back.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wessler |first=Kirk |date=2013-05-24 |title=Steamboat Classic to honor founder Steve Shostrom |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/2013/05/24/steamboat-classic-to-honor-founder/42534042007/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US}}</ref>
The race took a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eminian |first=Dave |date=2021-06-21 |title=How the Steamboat Classic took a chance, scaled back and came out running |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/2021/06/21/steamboat-classic-returns-streets-peoria-47th-year/7756704002/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Route == The race is open to all levels of ability and all ages; runners, walkers, and joggers all participate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steamboat History – Steamboat Classic: June 19, 2021 |url=https://www.steamboatclassic.org/steamboat-classic/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |language=en-US}}</ref>
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."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=2023 — Steamboat Classic — |url=https://raceroster.com/events/2023/61687/steamboat-classic |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=raceroster.com |language=en}}</ref>
The 15K routes through hilly loops in Glen Oak Park.<ref name=":0" /> It is known as Illinois' toughest 15k.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
The event also includes a 1 mile Fun Run/Walk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Illinois Valley Striders - Steamboat Classic |url=https://www.ivs.org/steamboat |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=www.ivs.org}}</ref>
== Champions == In 1995, Josphat Machuka of Kenya set the unofficial world four-mile road record with a time of 17:28.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Eminian |first=Dave |date=2022-06-18 |title=After nearly half a century, the Steamboat Classic still has plenty of stories to tell |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/recreation/2022/06/18/2022-steamboat-classic-winners-48th-race-downtown-peoria/7665561001/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Peoria Journal Star |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Men's 4-mile champions === {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |+Men's Champions !Year !Name !Country !Time |- |2025 |Alex Maier |USA |18:03 |- |2024 |Taggart Vanetten |USA |20:04 |- |2023 |Max Mcdaniel |USA |20:00 |- |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 === In 1995, Delillah Asiago of Kenya set the women's unofficial world four-mile road record with a time of 19:28.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |+Women's Champions !Year !Name !Country !Time |- |2025 |Taylor Roe |USA |19:40 |- |2024 |Natalie Bierbaum |USA |22:19 |- |2023 |Nicole Benson |USA |23:54 |- |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 == The Steamboat Classic Hall of Fame was created in 1998 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the race.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame – Steamboat Classic: June 19, 2021 |url=https://www.steamboatclassic.org/hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |language=en-US}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |+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== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://sc415.com/ Steamboat Classic] — official website
Category:15K runs Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1974 Category:Sports in Peoria, Illinois Category:Road running competitions in the United States Category:Tourist attractions in Peoria, Illinois Category:1974 establishments in Illinois