Whiskeydaddle is your premiere Midwest racing event. From a Boston-qualifying marathon to a downtown flat and fast 5K, there is a race distance for everyone! Furthermore, each of the races finishes at the Daddle Fest on the Peoria Riverfront! All races will start in downtown Peoria and finish on the …
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Whiskeydaddle is your premiere Midwest racing event. From a Boston-qualifying marathon to a downtown flat and fast 5K, there is a race distance for everyone! Furthermore, each of the races finishes at the Daddle Fest on the Peoria Riverfront! All races will start in downtown Peoria and finish on the Peoria Riverfront.
Whiskeydaddle describes the process of moving whiskey barrels from one location to another. It was coined in the 1840s when every distillery in Peoria employed a team of “whiskeydaddlers” who transported whiskey barrels to customers throughout the city.
The various distilleries were very proud of their whiskeydaddlers as they could be the difference between losing out on a sale – if your whiskeydaddlers stayed ahead of the competition, so did your company.
Each distillery had its own methods of hiring and training their whiskeydaddlers. While there were many methods of becoming a whiskeydaddler, there were four characteristics that every great one had in common: incredible strength, outstanding speed, impressive balance and awe-inspiring facial hair.
Every summer an annual Whiskeydaddle Festival was held as each distillery’s whiskeydaddlers faced off against each other in barrel-related competitions.
Eventually the job of the whiskeydaddler was phased out in the 1870s once the distilleries realized horses and wagons could do a better job. The last great whiskeydaddler was Richardiah Buttons Smithson who tragically died in 1883 while trying to fight the horse that took his job.
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Nice fall race in Peoria
The race weather was in the high 60s, which with a gentle breeze, was very nice for the run. The course headed almost immediately on an uphill climb to a … MORE
The race weather was in the high 60s, which with a gentle breeze, was very nice for the run.
The course headed almost immediately on an uphill climb to a bluff overlooking the river. From there it meandered through historic neighborhoods in the city on generally flat terrain. There was a steady downhill and a turn left out to the cemetery at around mile eight. The trails around the cemetery area were gently rolling but nothing too severe. The last half mile was downhill which provided for a nice kick to the finish line.
This race provided pace groups and frequent eight stations with water and Gatorade.
The race medal was a miniature flask replica. The race shirt was a quarter zip pullover.
This was a well produced race with friendly staff and volunteers.
Would do this race again!
The race was small and well run. The race director was super friendly and helpful. The medal is great!! The shirts are great!!! The only negative is there was no … MORE
The race was small and well run. The race director was super friendly and helpful. The medal is great!! The shirts are great!!! The only negative is there was no WHISKEY at the finish line, just boring beer.
Great Race!
I've done this race two years in a row and enjoyed it both times. The course reversed each year but the only difference is where the 0ne hill falls on … MORE
I’ve done this race two years in a row and enjoyed it both times. The course reversed each year but the only difference is where the 0ne hill falls on the course. It is basically flat (but for the one hill). The scenery is great, you get some neighborhoods, greenery, a cemetery and some riverfront & downtown.
Amazing aid station support, too.
Great 5K
This was a good 5K race and made better by the fact that it was tied to a marathon & half the next day for an additional challenge medal. The … MORE
This was a good 5K race and made better by the fact that it was tied to a marathon & half the next day for an additional challenge medal. The course was nice, very scenic and mostly flat. Definitely recommended.