Unique men's finish, oldest race champion, more than 10,000 finishers highlight 34th edition
DAVENPORT, Iowa - (July 26, 2008) - Edward Muge and Edith Masai led a Kenyan sweep of the top positions at the 34th Quad-City Times Bix 7 in 32 minutes, 16 seconds and 37:20, respectively, but each champion won the event in different ways on Saturday morning.
In the latter stages of the 7 mile race, Muge battled Maregu Zewdie of Ethiopia who made a final sprint to what he thought was the finish line, but it wasn't. As Zewdie slowed to celebrate his "win" more than a 100 meters from the real finish line, Muge, 25, took advantage of the situation and zoomed past the confused Zwedie who later told the Quad-City Times that he made a "big mistake". Zewdie, 25, did finish second in 32:25, but his mistake cost him at least $6000 as the Muge earned $10,000 or a 2008 automobile for the win.
For the men, Abel Kirui finished third in 32:28, while defending Bix champion Duncan Kibet was fourth (32:41).
The women's race wasn't nearly as dramatic, but it was historic as Masai, 41, became the oldest runner and first masters runner (40 and older) to win the Bix 7. Masai, a three-time world cross country champion, pulled away from the pack at 5 miles and held the lead to the finish as she edged countrywoman Angelina Mutuku by one second, 37:20 to 37:21. Ethiopia's Ashu Kasim was third (37:27).
Bix 7 veterans and running legends Joan Benoit Samuelson and Bill Rodgers ran 42:36 and 50:57, respectively. Benoit Samuelson, 51, the 1984 Olympic Marathon gold medalist, won her age group (50-54), while Rodgers, 60, was 4th in his age group (60-64).
Under good conditions for summer in the Midwest, 10,565 people finished this year's race.
34th Quad-City Times Bix 7 - Davenport, IA, Saturday, July 26, 2008
MEN
1) Edward Muge (KEN), 32:16, $10,000 or 2008 automobile
2) Maregu Zewdie (ETH), 32:25, $4000
3) Abel Kirui (KEN), 32:28, $2500
4) Duncan Kibet (KEN), 32:41, $1500
5) Dereje Tadesse (ETH), 32:49, $1000
6) Lishan Tigezu (ETH), 32:56, $900
7) Dejene Berhanu (ETH), 33:05, $800
8) Daniel Kipkoech (KEN), 33:06, $700
9) MacDonald Ondara (KEN), 33:09, $600
10) Dmessew Tsega (ETH), 33:17, $500
Top U.S.
16) Celedonio Rodriguez (CO), 34:28
WOMEN
1) Edith Masai, 41, KEN, 37:20, $10,000 or 2008 automobile
2) Angelina Mutuku (KEN), 37:21, $4000
3) Ashu Kasim (ETH), 37:27, $2500
4) Ogla Kimaiyo (KEN), 37:30, $1500
5) Pauline Wangui (KEN), 37:34, $1000
6) Mamitu Daska (ETH), 37:48, $900
7) Irene Limika (KEN), 38:14, $800
8) Nuta Olaru (ROU), 38:24, $700
9) Jane Murage (KEN), 39:00, $600
10) Diane Nukuri (BDI), 39:10, $500
Top U.S.
13) Kristen Fryburg (CO), 39:59
More race results at: Bix7.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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