The ‘buzz’ begins as Bix 7 race preparations start

DeMetria Isabel said she thinks of two words when it comes to the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race. Those words are: “Bix Buzz” That “buzz” is the sense of pride, energy and synergy people get when attending the Davenport race that attracts thousands of people from across the world. “We really look forward to […]

DeMetria Isabel said she thinks of two words when it comes to the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race. Those words are: “Bix Buzz” That “buzz” is the sense of pride, energy and synergy people get when attending the Davenport race that attracts thousands of people from across the world. “We really look forward to this every year,” said Ms. Isabel, marketing specialist for Prairie Farms Dairy, one of the sponsors of the Bix 7 events set for this summer.

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The Prairie Farms representative was one of the more than 100 sponsors, supporters, volunteers, fans and race officials who gathered late afternoon Wednesday, April 9, for a kickoff news conference at the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf. That event showcased many of the events and activities planned for the 51st running of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race. This year’s race will be Saturday, July 26, on the streets of Davenport. (Go here to register for the Bix 7 race and/or any of the associated races and events.)

In addition to the seven-mile route, race week includes the Prairie Farms Quick Bix, Arconic Jr. Bix, the Bechtel Trusts’ Senior Bix, and MercyOne Genesis Brady Street Sprints. The events will take place Tuesday to Saturday, July 22-26. The Wednesday news conference also was held to give an update on new events surrounding the race, start getting Quad Citians excited about the summer race, and to share favorite Bix 7 stories and memories, Michelle Juehring, the Bix 7 race director, said. “The spirit of the race continues to drive us forward. … This is the official homecoming for the Quad Cities,” she added. She used much of the event to update supporters and the media on the planned activities and events. For instance, she said there will be more and bigger celebrations and block parties planned for before, during and after the Bix 7 race. Also, the Bechtel Trusts Senior Bix Race will return for a second year. It will begin at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 22, starting in the west parking lot of the Isle Casino Hotel, the kickoff event’s host. “This was a huge hit last year,” she said. Ms. Juehring added that running legends Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson will return to this year’s Bix 7 race. “We are having fun in year 51. … This is the biggest event, the biggest homecoming in the Quad Cities,” she added. The race director also introduced the new T-shirt and logo for this year’s race. That logo shows part of the Davenport skyline surrounded by a white border. That border is important because it represents the Bix 7 race route through the city, Ms. Juehring said. The gathering featured 16 speakers – most representing sponsors of the Bix 7 and its associated activities. Many of those people shared their favorite stories and memories of Bix 7 week in past years. For instance, Connie Tauke, regional director of outpatient therapy for MercyOne Genesis, said her favorite memory of the race centers on the Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Center (GOPEDS) version of the Arconic Junior Bix. That race, held during Bix week, is for young special needs patients of GOPEDS, and held outside the MercyOne Genesis Medical Park building at 2535 Maplecrest Road, Bettendorf.  Many of the children at the event have mobility issues because of injury, autism, cerebral palsy or other conditions. Last year, one GOPEDS event was a sensory-friendly race for youngsters who don’t like the noises or the cheering of the crowd. Instead of cheering, spectators showed their support by blowing bubbles. All the children running the races received Junior Bix medals. Ms. Tauke said at last year’s race she talked with the mother of one of the children participating in the events. “The woman told me her child said ‘Mom, I’m never taking this medal off. This is the first medal I ever got, and I’m never taking it off,’” she added. Rob Cravaritis, president of the Quad-City Times and Lee’s Iowa business unit, told a different story of Bix 7 memories. Last year was his first Bix 7 event, and he got the honor of helping hold the ribbon at the race’s finish line. Mr. Cravaritis said he learned a valuable lesson about what to expect when runners approach the finish line. “The runners aren’t coming to hug you. They’re coming to get sick,” he added. For many of Wednesday’s speakers, the memories and themes came down to this phrase: “The Bix 7 is more than a race. It’s …” Here are a few samples of what some of the speakers said the Bix is:

• “It’s a cherished tradition.” – Keli Price, Arconic director of human resources.
• “It’s a cornerstone of the Quad Cities community.” – Ms. Juehring.
• “It’s where we chase the greatest runners in the world, but we never catch them.” But we do catch up with friends and family members. – Paul Schmidt, president of the Cornbelt Running Club.
• “It’s the little race around the corner” that turned into a world-class event. – Thom Cornelis, retired TV and radio broadcaster.
• “It’s (a time) for all hands on deck” for the KWQC TV workers. – Kevin Phelps, KWQC digital weather director and co-race announcer.
• Bix 7 is the event many people “plan their summer around.” – Denise Hnytka, City of Davenport’s chief communications officer.
• “It’s time to unplug your treadmill and get outside to enjoy the scenery.” – Brad Nielsen, president of Iowa American Water.