Athletics: 30 Years And Still Running - Anniversary Year Special for Bix 7

DAVENPORT, Iowa - (April 6, 2004) - Medals, legends and a chance for one person not only to run with the best, but maybe beat the best. Those were among the highlights as officials from the Quad-City Times Bix 7 on Tuesday officially kicked off registration for the 30th edition of the race with a press conference at the Rhythm City Casino's Blackhawk Hotel

The 2004 Quad-City Times Bix 7 is set for Saturday, July 24th beginning at 8:00am. As with previous anniversary years, all race finishers will receive participation medals as they cross the line. This race is also special for Bix legend Bill Rodgers, who will make his 25th consecutive Bix start and for race director Ed Froehlich who will mark his silver anniversary at the helm of the event.

New for 2004 will be the first-ever Rhythm City Casino "Race for The Jackpot." All entrants who register for the race before June 15th will be eligible for a drawing where one name will be selected.

That person will then be given a head start by being placed on the course at a location based on their time. If that individual beats the first place world-class runners to the finish, they will win the jackpot of $3000 - $100 for each year of the race.

The Bix 7 will again have the same prize structure for the top 10 men's and women's finishers. The male and female winners will receive a 2004 automobile from Lujack's Northpark Auto Plaza of Davenport, the nation's largest independently owned auto mall featuring automobiles from 16 different manufacturers.

The prize structure for 2nd place through 10th is as follows: 2nd - $4000; 3rd - $2500; 4th - $1500; 5th - $1000; 6th - $900; 7th - $800; 8th - $700; 9th - $600 and 10th - $500.

Applications are available at various Quad City Area locations. Online sign-up is available through the race's official website: www.bix7.com. A valid Visa or MasterCard is required to register online.