Why does everything about the Bix 7 in Davenport suck so bad? Their web site is lame. They don't use chip timing (for 10,000+ runners). They have tap water at water stops. They treat their runners like cattle. They've become the Boston Marathon where they think they can rest on their laurels. They're stuck in 1981.
I can only speak, and 2nd hand, to the Chip[ timing issue (and BTW, Lilac Bloomsday, a lot bigger race, doesn't use the Chip either).
The reason I've heard is that Bix has a huge contingent of volunteers working the finish line and chutes (24 chutes) who love to be a part of the biggest thing in the Quad Cities, and really take pride in their efforts. Bring in the Chip and these folks are reduced to checking runners exiting the pens at the finish.
There's an added cost for Chip timing due to rental of the actual Chips, so the race would have to come up with additional sponsor $ to cover it. Now suppose that sponsor pulls out after a couple years. You can't go back to the old method b/c those dedicated volunteers are gone, so you have to pass the cost on to the runners.
I've never run Bix but I've worked at it the past 5 years and I think it's one of the better races on the circuit, and I've been to a lot of them. It is really a community event, which is hard to accomplish with a race that big.
a 24 chute finish line is rediculous. I've run Bix five times and never had my actual gun time recorded correctly. Never mind the fact that my net time isn't even available. I've been passed in the chute before. I've seen the "dedicated" volunteers dropping handfuls of tags on the ground. And as far as a community event... Every time I've been to Davenport my friends and I have been treated like an inconvenience. The race directors bark at the elites at the start. The only, and I stress *only* thing Bix has going for it is that damn course is so challenging. That's the only reason I come back to run it every year.
if it sucks so bad, why do you keep running it? vote with your money and skip it until it meets your requirements.
Is there a purpose in this post? Like the previous poster said, if you have such problems with the event then don't do it. It sounds pretty simple to me.
The only thing that sux about Bix is I hate dixieland jazz.
Bix is my all time favorite race and I run a shit load of races. The city loves the race and the runners actually take over the whole town that weekend. Great race with tons of spectators lining the street and a fantastic party afterwards. It's a serious race and a circus all at the same time. I love hitting the street fair and then the bars later that day. My times have never been off and I've run 17 of them. If you're fast enough, you can talk your way into the front corral.
If all this bums you out, stay the hell away.
Gotta agree with you, the Bix is a phenominal race. I have done it for years, and it was actually one of my first races ever. I can't say I ever even noticed the lack of chip, and no I am not a "middle of the packer" not that that would make a difference. I have finished in the top 25 there a couple of times and think it is a great event.Putting on a race of its size cannot be easy so I appreciate those people like the one above that has volunteered the last 5 years so thank you since I never get a chance to at the race!
cowgirI wrote:
The only thing that sux about Bix is I hate dixieland jazz.
Bix is my all time favorite race and I run a shit load of races. The city loves the race and the runners actually take over the whole town that weekend. Great race with tons of spectators lining the street and a fantastic party afterwards. It's a serious race and a circus all at the same time. I love hitting the street fair and then the bars later that day. My times have never been off and I've run 17 of them. If you're fast enough, you can talk your way into the front corral.
If all this bums you out, stay the hell away.
Bix is one of the best races in the midwest outside of Chicago. It's very well organized and supported by the community. With those crowds, it's like doing a marathon but it's over quicker. Also one of the best post race parties anywhere by far. I like the idea of being able to see everyone in the race with the turn around by the river.
Great race and one of my favorites to go to. I make a weekend out of it.
Bix is a race not to be missed. It's great. I've missed it twice in two decades. Once when I was out of the country and the other when my son got married. Was almost a close decision but he would have killed me if I didn't show.
Really a class act and a great race. Don't know what race you did.
I live here in Davenport, and I work right on Brady street at the top of the hill. The Bix is a major event for the city, one of the biggest of the year, and I know that the volunteers really try hard to make everything work, and that Cornbelt works hard to get this going. I am sorry that some have had bad experience, but the elites here come year after year because it is a great run at an unusual distance and they get treated quite well. And the course is a monster, 2 killer hills. If you have not been here, wait till you see.
Bix Bill wrote:
Why does everything about the Bix 7 in Davenport suck so bad? Their web site is lame. They don't use chip timing (for 10,000+ runners). They have tap water at water stops. They treat their runners like cattle. They've become the Boston Marathon where they think they can rest on their laurels. They're stuck in 1981.
I wonder how many races use tap water. Think about the idiocy of bottled water for a minute. I know some races give little bottles which end up being a mess and dangerous.
Never ran it, but I looked at heading over this year and just cannot make it work.
I will agree with others: Stop going and let the RD know why. Complaining here is not going to do any good as it is likely no one here is in a position to do anything about it.