Ben Houtekier vs. the professionals for Rhythm City Casino "Race for the Jackpot"
DAVENPORT, Iowa - (July 24, 2008)- With just three returning professional veterans set to challenge for the men's and women's titles, this year's Quad-City Times Bix 7 is sure to be an open competition. The 34th edition, a Midwest summer tradition, is set for this Saturday, July 26th at 8:00am Central Time over the streets of Davenport.
Duncan Kibet of Kenya is the defending men's champion and will bring his successful experience back to Brady Street Hill and the challenging 7 mile course in hopes that he can rise to the top of a balanced field which also includes countrymen Edward Muge, Abel Kirui, MacDonald Ondara and Dennis Ndiso and Ethiopians Maregu Zewdie, Dmessew Tsega and Dejene Berhanu. Top U.S. entrants include Kyle O'Brien, Nate Jenkins, Tommy Neal and Celedonio Rodriguez.
The women's lineup is slated to include Ashu Kasim of Ethiopia, Kenyan road racers Edith Masai, Pauline Wangui and Leah Malot and Nuta Olaru of Romania who has Bix 7 experience, but could be bolstered with the addition of defending champion Wude Ayalew of Ethiopia. Late reports indicate that Ayalew was passed over for the Ethiopian 10,000 meter squad for the Beijing Olympics and, with an approved visa, she could find herself back as the front runner of the women's Bix race.
The U.S. women will be represented by the up-and-coming Kristen Fryburg. Local flavor will be provided by Diane Nukuri of Burundi who ran collegiately for the University of Iowa - the campus in Iowa City just 45 minutes from Davenport.
The Bix 7 prize purse equals $45,000 with $10,000 or a 2008 automobile to each race champion.
Other Bix 7 news and notes:
* Recent attention was focused on the Midwest devastation due to flooding. In an attempt to remember those that are still battling the effects of this natural disaster, race officials have announced that 50% of registration fees will be donated to Iowa Flood Relief efforts after the race hits the initial goal of 15,000 entries.
* Local Moline, IL fire fighter Ben Houtekier was chosen from all entrants to become the latest Rhythm City Casino "Race for the Jackpot" participant. Based on his previous Bix efforts, Houtekier will be given a two mile head start. Should he beat the first professionals back to the finish line, Houtekier will receive $3400 - $100 for each year of the race.
Houtekier has announced that his winning purse will be donated to a fund for Davenport fire fighter Bob Juarez. During the flood fighting efforts in Davenport, Juarez was injured from a fall while battling a blaze within the downtown flood zone. Currently, Juarez is paralyzed from the waist down and has started rehabilitation efforts at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport.
The race weekend will kick off on Friday, July 25th with two events - the Alcoa Jr. Bix 7 which attracts 5,000 kids up to 12 years of age for various distances beginning at 6:00pm next to the Quad-City Times building; following immediately is the Brady Street "Sprint" with individuals and teams testing their speed and relay abilities in a straight line race up Brady Street Hill. On race morning, participants in the big race will again have the opportunity to choose a two-mile option thanks to the Lee Enterprises "Quick Bix."
Registration for the event will continue on site at the Orthopaedic Specialists Sports Expo in the Davenport RiverCenter from 5:00 to 9:00pm on Thursday, July 24th and from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Friday, July 25th. There is no race day registration allowed so those are the final two opportunities to follow the motto of this year's event - "Feel Great - Do The Bix in '08."
For more information, contact Ed Froehlich at (563) 359-9197 or visit: Bix7.com.
Quad-City Times Bix 7 Professional Athletes - As of 07/22/08
MEN
Bib# / athlete / country
1 Duncan Kibet, Kenya
3 Maregu Zewdie, Ethiopia
5 Retired
7 Dmessew Tsega, Ethiopia
9 Lishan Yigezu, Ethiopia
11 Dejene Berhanu, Ethiopia
15 Abel Kirui, Kenya
19 Dennis Ndiso, Kenya
21 Edward Muge, Kenya
23 Retired
25 Daniel Kipkoech, Kenya
27 Nicholas Kurgat, Kenya
29 MacDonald Ondara, Kenya
31 Dereje Tadesse, Ethiopia
33 Tekeste Kebede, Ethiopia
35 Celedonio Rodriguez, USA
37 Kyle O'Brien, USA
41 Nate Jenkins, USA
45 Bill Rodgers, USA
47 George Misoi, Kenya
49 Tommy Neal, USA
WOMEN
2 Wude Ayalew, Ethiopia
4 Ashu Kasim, Ethiopia
6 Edith Masai, Kenya
8 Pauline Wangui, Kenya
10 Nuta Olaru, Romania
12 Genoveva Kigen, Kenya
14 Leah Malot, Kenya
16 Ogla Kimaiyo, Kenya
18 Angelina Mutuku, Kenya
20 Irene Limika, Kenya
22 Jane Murage, Kenya
24 Mamitu Daska, Ethiopia
26 Diane Nukuri, Burundi
28 Emebet Bacha, Ethiopia
32 Caroline Chepkorir, Kenya
34 Kristen Fryburg, USA
38 Joan Benoit Samuelson, USA
40 Fatna Maraoui, Italy
42 Marina Ivanova, Russia
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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