Your Ultimate Guide to the Bix 7: What You Need to Know

This July marks the 50th running of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race. This iconic 7-mile race through downtown Davenport is open to both runners and walkers beginning at the foot of Brady Street Hill, featuring both live bands and cheering crowds along the way! Run alongside elite athletes like Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Meb Keflezighi at the starting line near the Mississippi River, with the finish line entering into the largest post-race celebration in the Midwest. Along with this thrilling 7-mile course, there are celebratory events for the entire week leading up to the event that you can find more information on below:

Monday, July 22

The Bix 7 Race Week will commence with the unveiling of a statue of Karl Ungurean on July 22. Karl was one of the race’s first directors and founder of Cornbelt Running Club. The unveiling will take place at Quad City Times (500 E 3rd St, Davenport, Iowa 52801) at 6:00 PM.

Tuesday, July 23

Attention runners over 50! The Bechtel Trust Senior Bix will be held on July 23 at 6:00 PM at the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf (1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA), with an after-party following. This 1.5-mile course is open to anyone 50 years of age or older. Registration information is on the Bix 7 website. 

Wednesday, July 24

Celebrate the City of Davenport's 50-year partnership with the Quad-City Times Bix 7 race! Race Director Michelle Juehring will share a few words and commemorate this incredible milestone at 5:30 PM at Davenport City Hall (226 W 4th St, Davenport, Iowa 52801). 

Thursday, July 25

Running Wild and Fitness Expo: The Running Wild Sports and Fitness Expo is an exciting Bix 7 event that features vendors from the health, wellness, and fitness industry, including running apparel and gear, along with nutritional products and injury prevention. This 2-day show will be held at the River Center in Davenport, IA (136 E 3rd St Davenport, Iowa 52801) from 5 PM to 9 PM. This free admission and packet pick-up event attracts over 50,000 runners, walkers, volunteers, families, and friends yearly, making it not only a fun event for participants but a perfect place to showcase your business.

Genesis Sports Med Bix Brady Street Sprints: Get pumped to cheer on five different groups of runners racing up the steep quarter-mile Brady Street Hill. This event is open to the public and will begin at 7:00 PM. Cash prizes ranging from $50 to $500 will be granted for placing individuals. For more detailed information on the racing groups, click this link. 

Bix Party at MLK Park: Get your party face on for the Bix Party at MLK Park. Beginning at 5:30 PM and lasting until 9:00 PM, celebrate the Bix at the new MLK Park (501 Brady Street Davenport, Iowa 52801).

Friday, July 26

Running Wild and Fitness Expo: The second day of packet pickup will take place at the River Center in Davenport, IA (136 E 3rd St Davenport, Iowa 52801) from 9 AM to 8 PM. All the same vendors in the health, wellness, and fitness industry will be present on both days. 

Bix Birthday Party: Help celebrate the Bix’s 50th Birthday with desserts like cake and cupcakes, live jazz music, the Ron Tegeler Trio, and other bands. This event is free to attend and will take place at Kaiserslautern Square (119 E 3rd St Davenport, Iowa 52801) from 4 PM - 8 PM. 

Arconic Junior Bix: The Arconic Jr. Bix is a perfect way for individuals of all ages to be a part of the Bix festivities! Kids 12 and under compete in this shorter Junior Bix race and receive a medal, T-shirt, and entrance into the festive post-race party. Depending on age, there will be different distances for races, which can all be found on our website, with the first race beginning at 6 PM. All races will take place on the Bix 7 course (N Brady St & W 4th St Davenport, Iowa 52806). To register for this exciting event, visit the Bix 7 website. 

Garage Band Friday Night Bix Edition: Do a little Bix pre-partying downtown at the Mississippi River Distilling Company Downtown Lounge (318 E 2nd Street Davenport, Iowa 52801). The venue transforms its backloading dock into a beautiful impromptu space. This space will host the band Semi-Charmed and have refreshing drinks available. 

Bix Mix: Come celebrate the Bix with live music from Pork Tornado along with drinks and food on 3rd Street in Davenport. The Bix Mix will occur both Friday and Saturday of Bix week from 8-10 PM!

Saturday…AKA Bix Race Day!

Race Packet Pick-Up: There will be limited race-day packet pick-up on July 27 from 6:00 AM-7:30 AM in the River Center at the South Hall (136 E 3rd St,
Davenport, Iowa 52801). Packet pick-up will also be held on Thursday and Friday of Bix week at the River Center from 5 PM - 9 PM. 

BIX 7 RACE: 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Quad-City Times Bix 7. This historic out-and-back race through downtown Davenport allows competitors to journey this 7-mile course starting at the base of Brady Street Hill. The course will be lined with live bands and cheering crowds. You will Run with the Best as elite athletes toe the line, including legends Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Meb Keflezighi. Two-dollar parking will be available at the River Center Ramp (Entering East of Brady on 2nd and 3rd), 101 Main Street Ramp (Located North of River Drive), and  202 Harrison Street ramp – (Enter on Harrison and on Ripley between 2nd & 3rd). Racers will start at the Mississippi River and finish at the Midwest’s biggest post-race party. Participants may race, run, or walk this exciting course. This race can also be completed virtually. More information and registration for the in-person and virtual race can be found on the Bix 7 website. 

Praire Farms Quick Bix: If running 7 miles isn't your thing, the Prairie Farms Quick Bix is perfect for you! Take part in this exciting adventure for a thrilling 2-mile race within the Bix 7 event. Start alongside everyone, track your time accurately with Chrono Track, and benefit from perks including online training, a race t-shirt, and admission to the Walmart post-race party. Participants of both the 7-mile race and the 2-mile race will start at the same location (the base of Brady Street Hill), and end at the same huge post-race party. This race can also be completed virtually. More information and registration for the in-person and virtual races can be found on the Bix 7 website.  

Buick GMC Dealers High School Competition: All Iowa and Illinois high school athletes, including incoming freshmen as well as outgoing seniors, are eligible to win $1,000 for their high school. Participants must select the Premier Buick GMC Dealers’ High School Challenge when they register for the Quad-City Times Bix 7. The first Illinois and Iowa finishers will receive this prize for their high school and there is no negative impact on registering this way. 

Bix 7 Walmart Post-Race Party: Once you cross the hard-earned Bix 7 finish line, prepare to party away at the Midwest's BIGGEST post-race party! (500 E 3rd St. Davenport, Iowa 52801). This party will take place until 11:00 AM and have drinks and free snacks available. 

Bix Age Group Awards: At 10:00 AM, quickly following the Bix7 race (happening on July 27th at 8:00 AM), the top ten winners of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 will be announced. Shortly following at 11:00 AM, the Beat the Elite Runner, Premier Buick GMC Dealers’ High School Challenge, Caldwell & Newell Awards and the RRCA Champion medals, and age group awards recipients will be announced. For a chance to earn one of these awards, register for the races on the Bix 7 website. 

Quad City Irish Bix 7s Rugby Trophy: Take part in competing or cheering on the Quad City Irish Bix 7s Rugby. The Iowa Rugby Union's 7s Summer Series tournament features teams from Des Moines, Clinton, Iowa City, Decorah, Iowa Falls, and Mason City, with participation open to teams nationwide. This year, we're excited to introduce a new high school boys division to the fast-paced and thrilling world of rugby sevens. Register here!

Bix Family Fun Zone: Enjoy family-friendly fun, including bounce houses, great live music, and more, all day (10 AM—4 PM) on the Bechtel Plaza at the Figge Art Museum (225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801).

Bix Mix: Come celebrate the Bix with live music from Pork Tornado, drinks, and food on 3rd Street in Davenport. The Bix Mix will occur both Friday and Saturday of Bix week from 8-10 PM!

With the heightened excitement for the celebration of 50 years of Bix 7, you don't want to miss out on this year's festivities!