Star American runner, Bill Rodgers, races in Senior Bix

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - For many, the Senior Bix kicks off Bix festivities around the Quad Cities.

Even though the event is just in its second year, this is still a homecoming of sorts for people who have loved the Bix for decades.

“Really, it’s just a reunion,” Senior Bix Race Director Joshua Sherrod said. “It’s a reunion of folks 50-plus can come out and run this event.”

Senior Bix is a happy medium for people who don’t want to take on the daunting Brady Street Hill, offering a shorter, flatter course.

“This is a great opportunity for them to continue to be part of the Bix family and just have fun and see their old friends and family members and maybe running competitors that they used to run against,” Sherrod said.

Nancy Schell said she has run in 26 Bix races. Tuesday night was her first Senior Bix.

“I just love it, the crowd, the enthusiasm, the camaraderie,” she said. “It’s so much fun, I love charging up Brady Street hill, there’s nothing like it in the world.”

Everyone participating got to run alongside one of the greatest American distance runners of all time, Bill Rodgers.

Rodgers is 77 years old and said he’s been running for 60 years.

“There’s a lot of older runners; they can all beat me, you know, because they’re kind of younger,” Rodgers said. “I’m like an old car, you know they were in the garage but now they’re coming out and Americans are saying you know I’m gonna do this too.”

Running alongside his generation Tuesday night, while inspiring the next generation of runners.

NEED TO KNOW INFORMATION FOR BIX7

The race was added in 2024 as a special event for runners and walkers aged 50 and over to celebrate the Bix’s 50th anniversary.