While prize money has been reduced at some American road races this year, the organizers of the Quad City Times Bix 7 are moving in the opposite direction.
The event, which is hosting the USA Seven Mile Championships in Davenport, Ia., on July 25, is raising their first place prize to $12,500 from $10,000. Race winners have the option of taking the cash or an automobile from Lujack's Auto Plaza, a top race sponsor.
"We're celebrating our 35th anniversary and we want to attract the top American runners to come and help us celebrate this outstanding event," said race director Ed Froehlich through a media release.
The Bix last hosted a USA championship in 2002 when Meb Keflezighi and Colleen De Reuck took the titles. The race had an international field last summer and Kenyans Edward Muge and Edith Masai were the winners.