Community cheers on Quad-City Times Bix 7 runners

Colin Gould is known nationwide for going viral online for drinking 32 beers at Luke Bryan's recent concert at the Vibrant Arena in Moline. However, on Kirkwood Boulevard, he is best known for the Bix 7 flag in his yard.

"I've run it a total of four times, and then I moved into this house, and I said, 'I want to host a party!'" Gould said.

He and his wife, Alexandria, or Lexie for short, admired their hand-painted flag on their grass hilltop along Kirkwood Boulevard on Saturday morning, just before the runners lined up at the starting line at 8 a.m.

Their 15-month-old son, Carver, bounced in his mother's arms. This year marked his second Bix 7 and possibly his last in their family home. Gould said they have been there for five years, painting the grass-yard flag each year, but that this may be their last along the course.

"It's such a nostalgic area for the Bix," Gould said. "My grandparents grew up just down the road, so I wanted to host a party just like my grandparents did."

One day, Gould said he hopes his son, Carver, will have those same memories, even if the young couple moves away from the course.

'Helping runners stay cool'

Seventy-two-year-old Tom Olson pours mimosas along McClellan Boulevard on Saturday morning as the Quad-City Times Bix 7 runners race by his vintage black car.

"I'd rather do this than run!" Olson said.

The Bettendorf native makes drinks as his two grandsons sit in the driver's seat, watching their grandpa pour OJ and champagne. One day, Olson said the oldest grandson will inherit his car and duties of making mimosas along the Bix 7's turnaround.

Olson said he retired from his job as a dentist this Thursday at Olson Family Dental and now may spend the better half of his days making or drinking mimosas. He said his father first ran the Bix 7 when he was a boy, and now his whole family is involved in the race, whether running, making drinks or enjoying a sip on a mimosa while cheering on passing runners.

"Helps the runners stay cool, you know?" Olson said with a smile.

Armstrong family cheers on Casey Armstrong

If runners were looking for a sign to keep going, the Armstrong family had them. Posted up on a tent close to the intersection of Brady and Kirkwood, Becca Armstrong held up a giant photo of her son, Casey, who ran his second Bix on Saturday. Other family members held up signs encouraging runners to continue, with one saying, “it’s all downhill from here.”

Bronzino family set up at Brady and 7th

Paul and Sue Bronzino have been holding down the corner of Brady and Seventh streets for so long, they don’t remember when they started. Their corner is decorated with flags, balloons, bubbles, and hundreds of beers. Throughout last year’s rainy start, the group passed out 600 beers, Sue said. It’s even part of their motto: “Run with the best, and drink with the rest (that’s us).” 

Blessings for the race

Blessings were raining down on the corner of Kirkwood and Brady, courtesy of the Lord himself. Kind of.

Derek Hendrickson was dressed in a complete Jesus costume down to the sandals and lifeguard belt. The band at his church, Emmaus Road out of DeWitt, played tunes all morning and Hendrickson joined in a few times on vocals. This is the third year the church has participated, and volunteers passed out miniature figurines of Jesus to runners passing by.

“We’re just trying to make Him known,” Hendrickson said.