Father daughter duo runs Bix 7 race to support Multiple Sclerosis

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - A father-daughter duo is running their first Quad City Times Bix 7 race to honor their mother/grandmother who passed away from Multiple Sclerosis.

Lenny Debroeck found his passion for running because of his daughter.

“I got into running as a way to help my daughter train for when she ran cross country in junior high, and I started to grow started to love it a little bit, grow fond of it” said Debroeck.

Debroeck and his daughter are running the Bix together to support a special cause close to their hearts.

“We’re looking at different races to run, and the Bix came up,” said Debroeck. “Would have never thought of running seven miles compared to 3.1 but then I looked at the date, it was July 26th which happens to be this year, the sixth anniversary of my mom passing. So we decided to run it as a way to honor her.”

Debroeck’s mom passed away from Multiple Sclerosis in 2019.

“Starts at 8 a.m. the race does so at 8:31 is when I got the call from my dad to tell me the news,” said Debroeck. “So 8:31 would be about, for me about the three mile mark. So even though I’ll be focused on the race, that time won’t change in my mind. I’ll know exactly what went on. So for anybody that knows me, knows my family, knows exactly what my mom means to me. So what this race, what the day will mean, what that time will mean.”

Debroeck’s mom is buried at the Rock Island Arsenal, meaning she will be close in body and spirit when he and his daughter take on the course.

“The fact that this race is on that day, I know she’ll be watching us, given how close we are to the Arsenal,” said Debroeck. “But it means a lot to be able to honor her, because she was always, is always my biggest fan, and especially for my my daughter.”

Debroeck and his daughter plan on wearing the color orange on race day, which is the color that supports Multiple Sclerosis.

Debroeck has also set up a Go-Fund-Me to raise awareness for MS.