Posted: June 8, 2005

Athletics: Past Champions Headline 32nd Steamboat Classic 4 Mile

PEORIA, Ill. - (June 6, 2005) - The Illinois Valley Striders has announced the elite field for the 32nd Steamboat Classic, home of the 4 mile world records. The 4 Mile and 15K road races start at 7:45am at the RiverFront in downtown Peoria.

The Steamboat 4 Mile field is headed by recent Steamboat Classic Champions, Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya), who won in 17 minutes, 36 seconds in 2004, and Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania), who won in 20:15 (2003).

In addition to Kipkosgei and Tomescu-Dita there are other former Steamboat Champions in the field, making a total of seven former Steamboat 4 Mile Champions. Full list of former Champions: Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya) 2004, Shadrack Kosgei (Kenya) 2003, Martyn Brewer (England) 1984, Glenn Herold (USA) 1981, Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania) 2003, Wanda Panfil (Poland) 1991 and Bev Enslow (USA) 1977-78, 1981.

Steamboat Classic Elite Athlete Coordinator, Glenn Latimer said, "The thirty-second edition of the Steamboat Classic 4 Mile Race promises to be the epitome of high-powered international road racing, with top athletes vying for a potential prize purse of $40,000."

The Men's Elite Field - Leading Contenders:

* LUKE KIPKOSKEI (Kenya) - 2004 Steamboat Champion (17:36) - Just ran 8:27.80 for 2 miles at the Pre Meet on June 4, good for 8th place; passed 3000m in 7:54.59.

* SHADRACK KOSGEI (Kenya) - ran 17:33 in 2003 to win in his Steamboat debut. His time ranks as the third fastest Steamboat time in history. Just placed 4th at the Pre Meet on June 4 in the 2 mile in 8:16:02; passed 3000m in 7:42.67. Could threaten Steamboat Course and World Record time of 17:24.

* THOMAS KIPLITAN (Kenya) - a 27:32 10,000m track runner; 5th at 2003 World XC Championship. Will race with the pace of his two countrymen, Kipkosgei and Kosgei.

* JOE DRISCOLL (USA/NC) - recently ran a 10,000m track best time of 28:40; from the ZAP Fitness Elite Athlete Development Program in North Carolina.

* PETE JULIAN (USA/CO) - 13:33 and 28:05 PRs for 5000m and 10,000m; Pan American Games Bronze medalist in 1999.

Three members of the Hansons-Brooks Olympic Development Program will return to Steamboat and race in the Steamboat 15K race. They are: TRENT BRINEY (USA/MI), BRIAN SELL (USA/MI) and CLINT VERRAN (USA/MI). The trio will be part of Team USA for the Men's Marathon at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland in August 2005.

The Women's Elite Field - Leading Contenders

* CONSTANTINA TOMESCU-DITA (Romania) - 2003 Steamboat Champion - The 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champion and 2nd at the Flora London Marathon in April 2005.

* BLAKE RUSSELL (USA/CA) - 2nd at Steamboat 2004 in 20:45. PRs in 2005 at 5000m & 10,000m could threaten the U.S. record of 19:59 by Colleen De Reuck set at Steamboat in 2002.

* KAORI OYAMA (Japan) - talented developing young Japanese athlete.

* ELENA BURYKINA (Russia) - a 32:14 performer on the track at 10,000m and a 2:28:10 marathoner.

* SYLVIA MOSQUEDA (USA/CA) - veteran U.S. athlete; holds the 30th fastest time ever at Steamboat with 20:24 from 1988.

* SABRINA MONRO (USA/MI) - developing U.S. athlete from the Hansons ODP. Won the NACAC Cross-Country Meet in 2005 representing the USA; 15:56 (5K) and 33:05 (10K) in 2005.

* ALICJA CZAJKA (Poland) - first "pro" race for graduating senior from Northern Illinois University. Set several records at NIU in 2004-05 and also recognized as Scholar Athlete.

The Steamboat Classic, a Running USA Founding Member, is the cornerstone running event of the Illinois Valley Striders (IVS). With a membership of over 1,000 members, the IVS mission is to promote running/walking fitness as a life sport while striving to enhance the community. IVS serves its members, the running community, and the community at large through its active involvement in programs, events and organizations/issues that satisfy this mission. Proceeds from the Steamboat Classic entry fees are used to support IVS programs and events year-round.

Visit the race website at: SteamboatClassic.org.

From: Glenn Latimer, Associate Director/Elite Athlete Coordinator, Steamboat Classic

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.