The 32nd edition of the Steamboat Classic 4 Mile Race, to be held in downtown Peoria, IL, June 11, 2005 at 7:45 a.m., promises to be the epitome of high-powered international road racing, with top athletes vying for a potential prize purse of $40,000.

Included in the elite Steamboat field for 2005 are several former Steamboat Champions. They are headed by 2004 Steamboat Classic Champion Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya) who won in a time of 17:36, and 2003 Steamboat Champion Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania) who won in a time of 20:15.

In addition to Luke Kipkosgei and Constantina Tomescu-Dita there are other former Steamboat Champions in the field, making a total of eight former Steamboat 4M Champions. Full list includes Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya) 2004, Shadrack Kosgei (Kenya) 2003, Tim Broe (USA) 2002, Martyn Brewer (England) 1984, Glenn Herold (USA) 1981, Constantina Tomescu-Dita (Romania) 2003, Wanda Panfil (Poland) 1991, Bev Enslow (USA) 1977, 1978 and 1981.

Also included in the field are the runners who have competed in every single Steamboat race: Jerry Kokesh, who will wear bib #32, and Bev Enslow, a former Steamboat Champion, who will wear big #F32.

Individual prize money for both men and women will be $4,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $2,000 for third, $1,500 for fourth, and $1,000 fifth. In addition, any athlete finishing in places 6th through 25th is eligible to win non-cumulative time bonuses of $400 for sub 18:30 and $200 for sub 19:00 for men, and $400 for sub 21:00 and $200 for sub 21:30 for women.

Course Record/World Best Bonuses in 2005 to the first man breaking 17:24 (Josphat Machuka, Steamboat Classic, 1995), and/or the first woman breaking 19:28 (Delillah Asiago, Steamboat Classic, 1995) will be $4,000.

The Michael Sonnemaker Award - American Record Bonus in 2005 to the first man breaking 17:39 (Gerard Donakowski, Steamboat Classic, 1986), and/or the first woman breaking 19:59 (Colleen De Reuck, Steamboat Classic, 2002), will be $1,000 (must be a USA citizen to be eligible.)

To the first man breaking the current Masters World Best Times of 18:23 (Pierre Levisse, Steamboat Classic, 1992), and/or the first woman breaking 21:05 (Lorraine Moller, Steamboat Classic, 1995), will be $1,000 (There is no separate purse for Masters (40+) runners.)

In 2005, the race will be televised on WEEK - TV 25 at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, in same day tape delayed format.

Men's Elite Field Leading contenders:

LUKE KIPKOSKEI (Kenya) - 2004 Steamboat Champion.

SHADRACK KOSGEI (Kenya) ran 17:33 in 2003 to win the race in his Steamboat debut. His time ranks as the third fastest Steamboat time in history.

TIM BROE (USA), local hero and 2004 USA Olympian. It is undecided at this time whether Tim will race at Steamboat, or if he will use the 15k event as a training run, as he did in 2004.

TRENT BRINEY, BRIAN SELL, CLINT VERRAN of the Hansons-Brooks Original Development Program will return to Steamboat. These three runners will be part of Team USA for the Men's Marathon at the IAAF World Championships of Athletics in Helsinki, Finland in August, 2005.

LUKE METTO (Kenya) 2nd at Steamboat in 2004.

THOMAS KIPLITAN (Kenya) - a 27:32 10,000m track runner. 5th at World XC in 2003.

JOE DRISCOLL (USA) - recently ran a track best time of 28:40. From the ZAP Fitness Elite Athlete Development Program.

Women's Elite Field Leading contenders:

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

BLAKE RUSSELL (USA) - 2nd at Steamboat 2004 in 20:45.

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) veteran UA athlete. Still holds the 30th fastest time ever on the Steamboat 4M course with 20:24 from 1988.

JENNY SPANGLER (USA) - top USA Masters Runner and a 1996 USA Olympian based in Lake Villa, IL. Jenny won the USA Olympic Trials in 1996 and holds the USA Masters Record for the marathon with her performance in The La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon 2003 of 2:32:39.