Michelle Juehring, race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7, talks about the Bix 7 week events during a news conference Monday morning, July 22. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The upcoming Quad-City Times Bix 7 is much more than a road race. It’s a “homecoming” celebration that has something for everybody – beginning with a special event tonight, Monday, July 22. That was the main message during a news conference held this morning to kick off Bix 7 week events. “We transcend running. We […]
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The upcoming Quad-City Times Bix 7 is much more than a road race. It’s a “homecoming” celebration that has something for everybody – beginning with a special event tonight, Monday, July 22.That was the main message during a news conference held this morning to kick off Bix 7 week events.
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Ed Froehlich, race director emeritus, talks about the Quad-City Times Bix 7 week events during a news conference Monday morning, July 22. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Rob Cavaritis, president of the Quad-City Times; and Sue Ramsett, vice president and general manager of KWQC-TV, attend a news conference on Monday, July 22, outlining the events for this weekend’s Quad-City Times Bix 7. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Marion Meginnis, the City of Davenport’s mayor pro-tem, discusses the upcoming Quad-City Times Bix 7 weekend during a news conference Monday morning, July 22. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, discusses Bix 7 events.
People attend the Monday news conference.
“We transcend running. We transcend global boundaries. … Everyone can be part of this iconic event,” Michelle Juehring, race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7, said during a news conference that attracted about 60 people from the community. That event was held at the Friends of the MLK office at 501 Brady St., Davenport. That office – situated on the race course – is located next to a Bix 7 banner that goes across Brady Street and states “Celebrating 50 years.”Much of the news conference centered on the special events that will define this year’s 50th anniversary running of the Bix 7 race. Those week-long events begin at 6 p.m. tonight with a life-sized statue unveiling ceremony to honor one of the race’s pioneers – the late Karl Ungurean. One of the founders of the Cornbelt Running Club in 1975, he also served as the second Bix 7 race director. (Race officials announced during an April meeting that a statue honoring Mr. Ungurean would be installed outside the Quad-City Times building.)“I think all of you will be pleasantly surprised by the statue,” said Paul Schmidt, president of the Cornbelt Running Club, during Monday morning’s meeting.Ed Froehlich, race director emeritus, called Mr. Ungurean a “wonderful man” who devoted much of his life to the community and racing events.Monday’s statue unveiling will be the first of several Bix 7-related events.There will be parties, a fitness expo and a first-time event – the Bechtel Trust Senior Bix, that will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf at 1777 Isle Parkway. That inaugural event was moved to Bettendorf from downtown Davenport because of the ongoing floodwaters.“Of course, the city didn’t cooperate because you brought in the flood,” Mr. Froehlich joked at the news conference.The race director emeritus added that the 1.5-mile event won't be a true race, but rather: “Basically, it’s going to be old people like me, walking slowly.”Other Bix 7 events will include the Brady Street Sprints Party on Thursday, July 25; the Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo, starting at 5 p.m. Thursday; a pre-race party at 3 p.m. Friday; and the Bix 7 race starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 27.“This is the Quad Cities’ official homecoming. … There are so many things happening this week. I think this will be truly special,” said Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities.In addition to a homecoming week, the Bix 7 week of events will be a time to show off parts of the city. During Monday’s news conference, Sue Ramsett, vice president and general manager of KWQC-TV in Davenport, and a leader with the city’s Hilltop Campus Village organization, said the Hilltop area is also planning special events and wants to make sure people know the area is “more than just a place people pass through.”For instance, the new MLK Park in the HCV neighborhood will host the Brady Street Sprints Party from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 25. Hilltop Campus Village leaders said that party will include food from the Flavor Train and Mexies Food Truck, and Italian soda from The Brewed Book.Here is the schedule of events for the Bix 7 week:
Today (Monday, July 22): 6 p.m. Karl Ungurean statue unveiling at the Quad-City Times, Bix Plaza, 500 E. 3rd St., Davenport.
Tuesday, July 23: The Bechtel Trust Senior Bix: 6 p.m. at Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, west lot.
Thursday, July 25: 5-9 p.m. Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo, RiverCenter, Davenport; 6-9 p.m.; Brady Street Sprints Party, MLK Park; 7 p.m.: Genesis Sports Med Brady Street Sprints, starting line is 5th and Brady streets in downtown.
Friday, July 26: 8 a.m.: Shakeout Run at Quad-City Times; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo; 3-5 p.m.: Pre-Race Party, St. Ambrose University, Rogalski Center; 5:15-6 p.m.; and an autograph session at RiverCenter starting at 5:15 p.m.; 6 p.m.: Arconic Jr. Bix.
Saturday, July 27: 8 a.m. Quad-City Times Bix 7 race starts and Prairie Farms Quick Bix starts; 8-11 a.m.: WalMart Post Race Party; 10 a.m., Top 10 at 10 event; 11 a.m., age group awards at R. Richard Bittner YMCA in downtown.