First Senior Bix sees strong turnout ahead of 50th Quad-City Times Bix 7

Some, such as Jim Moran, even wore their lucky socks. 

"These are my gambling socks," he said, wearing his red and black, playing card-themed socks. 

Moran matched the event quite well, with the race being held at the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf. It had originally been planned for LeClaire Park in Davenport, but floodwaters from the Mississippi River were still receding, requiring a change. 

Participants gathered at the start line at 6 p.m. for a fun run/walk along the Mississippi River.

Participants could choose to complete one or two miles, with a marker at the half-mile point where people could turn around or keep going. 

Michelle Juehring, race director, said there was two waves, with the runners going first and the walkers going second. 

She also said the course is flat— unlike the Quad-City Times Bix 7. 

"There is no Brady Street hill tonight," she said. 

Moran said he was happy to hear about the Senior Bix, in particular its lack of hills. 

The 72-year-old said he has participated in 12 of the 49 Bix 7 races, with plans to run in this year's 50th race as well. 

"Some of us are getting to the age where we can't do the full seven miles and go up the hill, and this is a great way to open it up to a lot of people who maybe haven't been able to run it in the last few years," Moran said. 

Rachel Serianz, a 75-year-old Davenport resident, said that thanks to the Senior Bix she was finally able to race again with her husband, Art Serianz.

"I was overjoyed when I learned there was something open to seniors," she said. "He and I could be part of it together again like we did for 25 years."

Since 1993, Serianz said she and her husband have participated in 25 Quad-City Times Bix 7 races. 

She said this year will be her 33rd consecutive year participating in the Bix 7, only this year she will race without her husband.  

Serianz's husband now utilizes a wheelchair. 

"This will be the longest stretch he's tried in a wheelchair by himself, and he runs himself using his feet," she said. 

Serianz said she is what he calls his "aft thrusters," a Star Trek reference.

Juehring said celebrating Senior Bix participants like Serianz is the whole point behind the Bechtel Trusts Senior Bix. 

Notably, two of the biggest names in the history of U.S. distance running attended Tuesday's Senior Bix— Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers, both now 76 years old.

"It's clear the spirit of running has aged very well," Shorter said, looking at the crowd making their way to the starting line. 

Shorter was wearing his bright, neon green running shoes and said he was excited to race again with his long-time, former rival Rodgers. 

"We used to be arch rivals," Rodgers said. 

The two shared a laugh together over which one of them got to wear racing bib number 1. 

Shorter said the night brought back many memories.

Linda Meadors, a 75-year-old Moline resident, said she experienced much nostalgia as well. 

Meadors participated in the Senior Bix with her good friend, Joyce Madisen, who she first met at the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival. 

She said she and Madisen have not raced together since the 35th Quad-City Times Bix 7 and she looked forward to racing again with her friend, as well as a few other friends she ran into at the Senior Bix. 

"You never know when you bump into somebody since the last time you have seen them, what is going on in their life," she said. "So it's really fun to connect with everybody again."