Quad-City Times Bix 7 officials have announced that a bronze statue of long-time Quad-City Times columnist Bill Wundram will join Bix Plaza in advance of this year's race. The 32nd annual Quad-City Times Bix 7 occurrs Saturday, July 29 in Davenport, Iowa.

Wundram, a 62-year employee of the newspaper, will have his life-size likeness residing with statues of Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Leon "Bix" Beiderbecke. The statues have all been created by area artist Ted McIlhiney.

Rodgers and Samuelson were previously honored for contributions to the 7-mile race. Beiderbecke, the late Davenport native whose jazz stylings have influenced generations of fans and musicians, lives on thru the music festival and road race held the same weekend that bear his name.

As a Davenport native and life-long resident, Wundram has served in numerous positions at the newspaper which celebrated its 150th Anniversary in October 2005. He currently serves as Associate Editor.

In addition, Wundram writes a daily column, the only seven-day columnist in the country, and has long been a chronicler and supporter of the people, places and things that make up his hometown in particular and the Quad City Area in general. In that role, he is the biggest cheerleader the Bix and the Quad Cities has ever had. He has authored or co-authored six books including a successful local series of children's books.

The Bix Plaza, which graces the front of the Quad-City Times and has the aforementioned statues, is also home to the Bix 7 "Volunteer of the Year" recognition plaques.

For more race information or to register for the Quad-City Times Bix 7, go to www.Bix7.com