Courtesy of Running USA wire. By Jim Estes.

PEORIA, Ill. - (June 12, 2004) - For 31 years the city of Peoria has hosted some of the best road racers in the world including Khalid Khannouchi, Arturo Barrios, Steve Jones, Colleen De Reuck and Delillah Asiago, just to name a few. With numerous world and national records calling the Steamboat Classic home, it is no surprise that, when Elite Athlete Coordinator, Glenn Latimer sets his mind to bringing the sport's best to Peoria, there will be quite a show.

The 31st edition didn't disappoint, with Luke Kipkosgei essentially dominating the race from the onset, which included a 4:12 opening mile, easily putting the Kenyan in a position to challenge Josphat Machuka's world record of 17:24. However, a series of low 4:30 miles soon put that notion to rest as Kipkosgei hit the tape - untested and unchallenged - in 17:36. Countrymen Luke Metto and Shadrack Kosgei (the defending champion) finished second and third respectively in 17:42 and 17:44.

"I tried to push hard, but I could not do it", Kipkosgei told the Peoria Journal Star's Gary Childs.

On the women's side, a trio that included Japanese star and 2003 Berlin Marathon champion Yashuko Hashimoto, 2003 Steamboat champion Constantina Tomescu-Dita and 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials 4th place finisher Blake Russell hit the first mile in 5:00, but quickly slowed during the second mile with a 5:13. Shortly before three miles, Russell made her push to the front which would result in Tomescu-Dita's exit from the lead pack, but Hashimoto remained close and would move past Russell as the pair negotiated the Spaulding Mall and at the finish, Hashimoto had five seconds on Russell, stopping the clock in 20:40, while Tomescu-Dita made it home in 20:58 for a distant third.

After the race, Russell recalled, "I felt better than I expected, so I tried to make a little bit of a move, but the turnover wasn't quite there". 31st Steamboat Classic 4 Mile Peoria, IL, Saturday, June 12, 2004

MEN 1. Luke Kipkosgei, 28, KEN 17:36 $4000 2. Luke Metto, 26, KEN 17:42 $2500 3. Shadrack Kosgei, 20, KEN 17:44 $2000 4. Joseph Koskei, 20, KEN 17:49 $1500 5. Silverus Kimeli, 24, KEN 18:29 $1000 6. John Henwood, 31, NZL 18:33 $500 7. Tobias Hiskia, 26, NAM 18:33 $500 8. Jason Lehmkuhle, 26, MN 18:36 $250 9. Mark Menefee, 25, MI 18:53 $250 10. Shadrack Kimeli, 27, KEN 18:59 $250 11. Trent Briney, 25, MI 18:59

WOMEN 1. Yasuko Hashimoto, 28, JPN 20:40 $4000 2. Blake Russell, 28, MA 20:45 $2500 3. Constantina Tomescu-Dita, 34, ROM 20:58 $2000 4. Zivile Balciunaite, 25, LIT 21:19 $1500 5. Denisa Costescu, 28, ROM 21:28 $1000 6. Melissa White, 23, MI 21:40 $500 7. Fumi Murata, 29, JPN 22:17 $500 8. Jenny Spangler, 40, IL 22:31 $250 9. Bonita Paul, 23, RSA 22:32 $250 10. Elsa Monterroso, 32, GUA 22:35 $250

USA Elite Development Clinic Hosted by the Steamboat Classic

In addition to the always impressive race field, with the support of Steamboat race director Philip Lockwood, The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and the Papa John's 10 Miler, on Friday before the race, Glenn Latimer brought together some of the best minds in the sport to conduct an elite developmental clinic that turned out to be a who's who in road racing.

Clinics of this nature are a somewhat new offering by event directors, with one of the first athlete media-training seminars held earlier this year by the New York Road Runners at the USA Men's 8K Championship in March. The SBC clinic was more of an open forum, which covered multiple topics, and both events have provided two valuable educational opportunities to U.S. athletes so far in 2004.

In many cases, the chance to hear the musings of two of the world's best marathon directors, David Bedford - Flora London and Carey Pinkowski - LaSalle Bank Chicago, would likely be a costly affair. However, in what could possibly be a one-time only opportunity, thanks to support from the running and corporate communities, the clinic was easily the best value in Peoria that day.

In addition to the two marathon "powerhouses", the clinic attendees were also provided insight by running media experts Paul Christman - Running Stats and Bob Richards - Chicago Athlete; coaches - Brad Hudson and Hansons-Brooks coaches Keith and Kevin Hanson, as well as athletes, Mark Plaatjes - 1993 World Championships marathon gold medalist; Jenny Spangler - 1996 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials champion; Blake Russell - 4th 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials and a host of emerging and past elite athletes.

The first session was focused on the expectations of event directors, media and sponsors, as well as the myriad of combinations that present themselves. As always, both David Bedford and Carey Pinkowski provided the attendees with a perspective on the business of major event production that few people are privileged to experience. Topics ranging from the mega-marketing approaches necessary to produce such large-scale events, to what is quickly becoming the standard in athlete responsibilities regarding communications and conduct relating to pre- and post-race activities, including press conferences, sponsor events and other "public appearances". In short, the basic tools and information needed to improve the sport and to raise its profile.

From there, the sessions provided insight from both coaches and international caliber athletes on a range of topics, including training and racing philosophies and strategies, expectations of sponsors and development programs and fellow athletes.

Feedback from attendees, speakers and organizers, indicate that the clinic was both well received and a welcome addition to the resources that could be provided by many top-level races. Many were very pleased with the amount of information that was provided in the three and half hour clinic and continued to discuss the day's events throughout the weekend.

Glenn Latimer and Jim Estes (USATF Men's LDR Chairman) are currently planning a follow-up clinic for fall 2004, with tentative plans for the clinic to be held in association with a major fall race, possibly the 2004 USATF Club Cross Country Championships. The main focus of the follow-up will likely feature a similarly impressive group of experts and speakers, with a great deal of the focus on the marketing and packaging of the athletes to event directors, media and sponsors. Information will be distributed when the details are finalized.