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Runners cope with fewer Bix at Sixes

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By Shannon Heaton | Friday, July 18, 2008 |

There has been a fair amount of good-natured grumbling over the lack of Bix at Six training runs, particularly in the two weeks before the July 26 Quad-City Times Bix 7.

But many who are planning to compete — whether running the official Bix at Sixes or on their own — have their ways of preparing nonetheless.

“I don’t think that the lack of Bix at Six runs have hurt my training, but it is disappointing,” said Alex Seiver of Rock Island.

“They are usually a great social atmosphere and it was always fun seeing old friends and teammates before and after the runs. There still have been a lot of people out running the course at

6 (p.m.) on Thursday nights, however, so I don’t think the spirit of the Bix at Six has died very much.’’

Even if runners aren’t on the race course Thursday nights, the inventive spirit of the community still is getting the work in, whether it’s on bike trails, high school tracks or just out on the road.

“It’s nice to have that (Bix course mileage) as a staple workout every week leading up to the Bix, with the hills and water stops planned in,” said Nick Hird, a former Rock Island Alleman and North Central College track and cross country runner.

“The only alternative to that is to find a nice tough group to train with or find another hilly course to challenge yourself with for your tempo runs preceding the race.”

Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.