2025 Cause for Celebration: Bev Enslow
A cornerstone of the new SC415 Presented by PNC is our year-round Cause for Celebration. This year we are honored to be celebrating Triumphs of Women in Running!
The 2025 campaign is inspired by our very own Central Illinois native Bev Enslow, the only person to compete in all 50 Steamboat Classic races and a 3x women’s overall Steamboat winner in both the 4-Mile and 15K distances.
In addition to her incredible Steamboat legacy, Bev has been a pioneer in women’s athletics since she was very young. In 1975 she was part of the inaugural women’s track team at Richwoods high school, earning All State every year. Her running success only elevated when she graduated to Western Illinois, setting school records in the 880, 1 Mile, 2 Mile, and 3 Mile, and solidifying her spot all four years as an NCAA national qualifier in Cross Country and Track…and an eventual Western Hall of Fame member.
Bev only sped up after college, spearheading women’s involvement in longer distance road races, winning the Memphis Marathon, and placing among the top finishers in the Chicago, New York City, and California International Marathons (with a 2:44 PR). In 1980 she set a world record in a relay race with 10 women, collectively running 229 miles in 24 hours.
Bev has left no stone unturned when it comes to athletic pursuits. After surgery on her knee at age 31, she dove into biking and swimming, qualifying and racing in numerous national and world championships across the sports of Road Triathlon, Off Road, Triathlon, Cyclocross, Fat Bike, Cross Country Mountain Biking, and Endurance Mountain Biking.
Through all of these competitive ventures, Bev has also made time to give back, having volunteered and given thousands of hours to organizations like the Illinois Valley Striders, Illinois River Valley Orienteering Club, Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association, and the Illinois Valley Wheelm’n…to name just a few.
In the shining light of Bev's extensive legacy of accomplishment as a lifelong female athlete (plus years of deep involvement within the community), there was no question as to who should represent the inaugural SC415 Cause for Celebration and symbolize Triumphs of Women in Running this year.
Thank you, Bev, for continuing to inspire athletes of all ages and genders. We cannot wait to run with you at your 51st Steamboat Classic!
