PEORIA, IL---(June 8, 2004)---The Steamboat Classic announces the field of Elite Athletes for the 31st running of the famous 4 Mile Race in Peoria, IL. on Saturday, June 12, 2004..

Steamboat Classic Elite Athlete Coordinator, Glenn Latimer says, "We have an excellent group of athletes. There is the distinct possibility of a new Men's World Best Time for 4 Miles. The old record of 17:24 was set at the Steamboat Classic in 1995 by Josphat Machuka of Kenya. We have some 'blue chip' athletes who are very fit and ready to challenge that record."

Top athletes will be vying for a potential prize purse of $40,000. Included in the elite Steamboat field are three definite 2004 Olympians, plus four more potential 2004 Olympians still awaiting selection. There are another four past Olympians in the field and athletes from twelve different countries. 2004 Steamboat Classic Champions Shadrack Kosgei (Kenya) who won in 2003 in a time of 17:33, and Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania) who won in a time of 20:15 will return to Peoria to defend their titles.

The leading elite athletes include:

Constantina Tomescu-Dita - ROM
31.14 - Olympic Games 2004; 1st SB 2003

Blake Russell - MA/USA
15.43 - 32.16 - 4th USAOlympic Trials

Yasuko Hashimoto - JPN
32.04 - 1st Berlin 2003 in 2:26:32; 1:09:32 for 21k

Fumi Murata - JPN
32.23 - 7th at Berlin 2003 in 2:30:26; 1:09:26 for 21k

Victoria Klimina - RUS
15.41 - 31.05 - 8th Boston 2004; 4th Lilac Bloomsday 2004

Melissa White - MI/USA
16.06 - 33.17 - Hansons Team; Team USA 2004

Denisa Costescu - ROM
15.40 - 33.28 - World University Games Champion

Annie Emmerson - ENG
Top GB Triathlete

Jenny Spangler - IL/USA
33.39 - 1996 USA Olympian; 2:32:39 AR/ Chicago 03

Zivile Balciunaite - LIT
15.57 - 33.04 - Olympic Games 2004

MEN
Shadrack Kosgei - KEN
13.12 - 29.04 - 1st Steamboat 2003 in 17:34

Luke Kipkosgei - KEN
12.56 - 27.12 - 2nd World XC 2002; 3rd World Indoor 3k/2003

Joseph Koskei - KEN
13.16 - 1st US Open, May 04 in OG qualifier of 13.16.83

Gert Thys - RSA
27.58 - Olympic Games 2004

Luke Metto - KEN
28.08 - 61.18 half marathon Lisbon 2001//59.59/20k

Silverus Kimeli - KEN
18:15 for 1st at Trolley Run 4M in 2004

Justin Young - IL/USA
4th 04 Papa John's 10M 47:21/ ex Richwoods

Jason Lehmkuhle - MN/USA
13.59 - 28.26 - 28.26 at Cardinal 4/30/04. 3rd NCAA 10k 2000.

Trent Briney - MI/USA
13.55 - 29.10 - 4th USA Olympic Trials Marathon 2004/2:12.34

Clint Verran - MI/USA
13.51 - 64.10 for half marathon; Team USA; 2:14.17

Steamboat Classic Race Director, Philip Lockwood says, "The race distance is fairly unique and pits track runners against road racers. It provides for some very exciting racing. We are often told that we are 'the best little road race in the world' ---We like that description."

The Steamboat Classic, a Running USA Founding Member, is the cornerstone running event of the Illinois Valley Striders (IVS).

For more information, check out www.steamboatclassic.com/4mile.htm