Posted: May 19, 2004

Athletics: Rodgers Back For "An American Classic"

"Bix Billy" adds to legend with his 25th consecutive start

DAVENPORT, Iowa - (May 17, 2004) - Bill Rodgers, an American running legend, will celebrate his 38th year of competitive road racing with his 25th consecutive start at the Quad-City Times Bix 7.

At the kickoff press conference for the event at the Rhythm City Casino's Blackhawk Hotel, Rodgers, 56, four-time winner of the Boston and New York City Marathons, touched upon several subjects as he prepares to add to his legend at the event.

Throughout your career, have you ever run any other events this often and why do you keep coming back to Bix?

"There is no other race that I've done this many times," said Rodgers. "We have become great friends with the organizers and it has been fun to watch the race grow into one of the major races in the country. This event is so much more than the race and my entire family is part of it. Some of my father's family is originally from the Monmouth, IL area so that is special. Also the way it ties into the history of the Bix Jazz Festival and the community as a whole really appeals to me."

How does the Bix 7 stack up with all the other non-marathon races?

"Bix is one of the American classics of road racing. I have admired how Ed Froehlich and the entire race committee have built the race the way a runner would build a training program. Plus, the way people turn out to watch the race is very rare. It is a big event, but it is small in that the fans are so close to you, cheering you on every mile of the race. For me, it is more exciting than running in a stadium of 50,000 people. Add in great sponsors like the Quad-City Times and the television coverage and you know that Bix stacks up very highly with other races."

You are coming off a broken leg suffered late last summer. How has the recovery been as you start your race schedule?

"In 38 years of competitive racing I have never suffered a major injury. But, my time finally came last August when I broke my right tibia. I was in a hard cast for about 12 weeks and then in mid-December I was fitted for a walking cast. I have made very steady progress and had my first race in February. I have run two half-marathons and won my 55-59 age group and I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, D.C. last weekend. I'm still competitive and I want to win my age group every year. I'm 56 now and I'm pleased Ed keeps bringing us back. I do my best to stay in one piece every year and to help keep growing the Bix 7."

Bix 7 race applications are available at various Quad City Area locations. Online sign-up is available through the race's official website: www.bix7.com.