As part of our Cause for Celebration series Presented by PNC, we honor LaDaisha Steen-Yates, a Peoria standout whose sprinting career shined from Richwoods High School to Illinois State. At ISU, she posted top-five finishes in the 60m and 200m, set a meet record at the Top Times Titan Open, and broke 12 seconds in the 100m. A state finalist and record holder in high school, LaDaisha’s dedication and drive have defined her journey. Here’s to LaDaisha—a true Triumph of Women in Running.

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC honors Gabrielle Thomas, one of the fastest women in the world. She made history at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials with a 21.61 in the 200m—the second-fastest time ever—before winning Olympic bronze in the 200m and silver in the 4x100m relay. In 2023, she added World Championship gold in the 4x100m and silver in the 200m, proving her dominance on every stage. From Ivy League tracks to Olympic finals, Gabrielle continues to inspire as a true Triumph of Women in Running.

As part of our Cause for Celebration series Presented by PNC, we honor Peoria’s own Seven Hicks! From Richwoods High School state titles to breaking records at Nebraska, Seven’s sprinting career is fueled by grit and growth. In 2025, she set a Prairie Wolf Invitational meet record in the 60m, posted a blazing 24.20 in the 200m, and shined at the Drake Relays. More than her fast times, Seven’s persistence and pride continue to inspire athletes in Peoria and beyond.

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC features Molly Huddle! One of the most decorated distance runners in U.S. history, Molly is a two-time Olympian and American record-holder in the 10,000m, 20K, and half marathon. A 10-time All-American at Notre Dame, she’s since earned 28 national titles and became the first American woman to break 1:08 in the half. Beyond racing, Molly is a powerful advocate for women in sport and athlete empowerment. We’re honored to celebrate this true icon of American distance running!

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC honors RC’s own Maryjeanne Gilbert! A Peoria Notre Dame alum, Maryjeanne is one of Illinois’ most decorated distance runners, winning multiple state titles and setting school records in the 1,600m and 3,200m. Named Illinois Gatorade Female Runner of the Year and an All-American, she also set a state record at the New Balance Indoor Nationals 5K and represented Team USA in Scotland. Her achievements and leadership continue to inspire young runners across the region.

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC features Nicole Benson! A standout at Limestone High School, Nicole won a state cross country title in 2007 and competed nationally at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. She went on to shine at Bradley University with the program’s 2nd fastest 5k, and later at the University of Iowa, where she posted one of the school’s top 4000m times. Nicole’s journey continues to inspire the next generation of female athletes, and we’re honored to share her story!

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC shines on Priscilla Welch! Once a pack-a-day smoker with no athletic background, Priscilla started jogging at 34 while stationed in Norway. Just two years later, she ran the London Marathon in under three hours, and by 39, she placed 6th in the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles, setting a British record of 2:28. Her story proves it’s never too late to take the first step toward health and wellness.

This week’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC honors Betsy Silzer! A trailblazer for women’s running, Betsy won the 1981 Illinois State Cross Country Championship and remains the women’s record-holder in the Steamboat 15k since 1983. Beyond racing, she’s enriched the community as recreation director at Wildlife Prairie Park, developing trails and enhancing facilities that now host major events. Thank you, Betsy, for shaping women’s athletics and our outdoor recreation community!

Previous world record holder in the mile, 5000 meter, and 10000 meter, Mary Decker is this week’s highlight in our Cause for Celebration series Presented by PNC.

This week as part of our Cause for Celebration series Presented by PNC we are telling the story of Allyson Felix, the first female track and field athlete to ever win 7 Olympic Gold medals and the most decorated American in history with 11 medals.

Hometown hero Amanda Duvendack is this week's Cause for Celebration: Triumphs of Women in Running Presented by PNC.

There is no doubt that Olympic athletes have a rare combination of extreme natural talent, unwavering determination, and work ethic. In other words, they're built differently. This week's Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC highlight, the amazing Marion Jones, is no exception.

Greater Peoria is proud of our incredibly rich history of talented female runners. This year’s Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC is honored to pay tribute to many of these women, and Eureka runner Olivia Kraus is truly a standout.

Through our annual Cause for Celebration, The Steamboat Classic Presented by PNC celebrates the countless impressive feats of athleticism in the sport of running. This week we are proud to introduce Joan Benoit Samuelson, a true epitome of vigor and competitiveness throughout a lifespan. 

Former Peoria Notre Dame cross country star Caitlin Comfort rose to top of the leaderboards her very first season and stayed there, placing Top 10 all four years in the Illinois AA State Championships (and winning as a junior in 2006). 

Meet Sydney McLaughlin Levrone, world record holder in the 400 meter hurdles and this week’s Cause for Celebration highlight.

Meet 1993 Illinois State Cross Country Champion Jenelle Deatherage of East Peoria!

Meet 100-meter hurdle master and three-time Olympic champion Gail Devers. On her journey to the pinnacle of stardom, Devers overcame hurdles on and off the track, a true champion and Cause for Celebration of Triumphs of Women in Running this week

Among the most dominant female runners to emerge from the River City, Suzie Tuffey rises to the spotlight for this week’s Triumphs of Women in Running as part of the SC415 2025 Cause for Celebration Presented by PNC.

This week we celebrate the inspiring story of Katherine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially registered competitor. As you can see here, her historic run didn’t happen without pushback…literally.