'On a high right now:' 50th Quad-City Times Bix 7 sees 6,433 more participants (2024)

Michelle Juehring made a call Monday morning.

Race director for the Quad-City Times Bix 7 for five years, Juehring had an important question for Eric Dresing of Green Buick GMC. He's the chair of the Premier Buick GMC Dealers, the group that supplied the Buick Encore used as this year's pace car for 50th running of seven-mile race through Davenport.

"I asked if I could keep driving the car for just one more day," Juehring said. "I just want to hold on to the feeling of this year for one more day.

"When I'm out in that car, people smile and they tell their Bix 7 story. I want to hold on to this every year, but this year has just been amazing. We are on a high right now. All the things are good."

One reason for Juehring enthusiasm came from the large increase of registered participants in the week's events. A total of 16,586 people signed up for the various races held during the week. That's a 6,433 participant increase over the 10,153 who signed up last year.

Juehring said a number of factors contributed to the surge.

"I think a lot of people connected with the idea of the 50th Bix 7," she said. "That brought people back, it got first-timers interested. It put our history in front of people."

Juehring said that history is important.

"We see the growth and you have to realize that our race didn't get to where it is today without a long history of commitment from a lot of people," she said. "(Former race director) Ed Froehlich and past committee members, many who continue to serve, laid the foundation of a phenomenal race."

Juehring explained what makes the Bix 7 so unique.

"So many different people can draw inspiration from this race," she said. "It is a world-class event with top athletes competing.

"And it's also a place for people, friends and family, to get together and be a part of something where people line the streets to cheer them. There is live music and fun. It is really something special to witness."

The Junior Bix also saw an increase in participation this year, as 1,708 kids ran. Last year's race drew 1,425.

'The race went really smoothly'

The day of the race went well from a medical standpoint, too.

A total of 19 runners and three non-runners had to be taken to the Genesis Medical Tent, which was staffed by 112 volunteers.

"Cooler temperatures and overcast skies helped reduce the number of people needing care," QC Times Bix 7 Medical Director Dr. Ed Motto said.

The temperature at the start of the race was 68 degrees with a relative humidity of 81%.

It marked the second straight year that traffic into the medical tent was light.

The tent treated 17 runners in 2023 — well below the average of 50 to 70. The highest number of runners who needed treatment at the med tent was around 100 in 2011 when race-time temps were 77 degrees with 82% humidity.

While the race had a good outcome in the medical tent, the first-responders out on the course echoed Motto.

"The race went really smoothly," Kyle Beale-McDonald, the training and development manager for MEDIC EMS of Scott County said. "I'm really proud of the runners and all the first-responders. The issues that did come up were handled really well by everyone involved."

MEDIC EMS responded to 12 dispatches on the race course and transported four patients total, three to Genesis East and one to UnityPoint-Trinity in Rock Island. All four were runners and were treated at the hospital for non-critical symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

MEDIC EMS responded to an additional 13 non-race related dispatches during the race.

MEDIC EMS had 19 paramedic ambulances placed around the course, 15 from MEDIC EMS, one from Advanced Medical Transport, and three from Genesis Ambulance. MEDIC EMS also had two paramedic level Bike MEDIC teams located throughout the Bix 7 course.

The Davenport Fire Department also provided support with seven vehicles and two mobile DFD “Gator” units.

“The 50th year of the BIX 7 was something very special. We were very fortunate to have amazing weather at the start of the race ... We are proud to serve such a unique event that connects so many communities,” Paul Andorf, MEDIC EMS of Scott County Director said