Four-time Boston champ leads women's elites; John Korir goes for a "Bix-six" on men's side

Davenport, IA - Officials from the Quad-City Times Bix 7 today announced the race's list of elite athlete commitments. That group is headlined by Catherine Ndereba and John Korir who will lead a deep and talented field of athletes from around the world in the race for an open title.

The 2005 Quad-City Times Bix 7 is set for Saturday, July 30th beginning at 8:00 AM. Applications are available at various Quad City Area locations. You can also sign up online through the race's official web site, www.bix7.com. A valid Visa or MasterCard is required to register online.

Catherine Ndereba (durr-AY-bah), who this past April became the first four-time women's champion in the history of the BAA Boston Marathon, will return looking for a fourth Bix women's title. For the first time in a major North American road race, she will be joined by sister Anastasia (third Bix start) and brother Samuel (second Bix start) in the same field.

Her appearance will mark the 10th time a Boston champion has run at Bix and the fourth time a current Boston champion has come to Davenport. The last time was 1992 when Olga Markova won both Boston and Bix in the same year. The others to climb Brady Street after taming "Heartbreak Hill" are Kim Merritt (1976), Bill Rodgers (1980) and Joan Samuelson (1983).

On the men's side, defending champion Korir (core-EAR) will look to extend his dominance in the men's field with an unprecedented sixth open title. He has the most open titles, male or female, in the history of the event. Next in his sights is Samuelson who with her master's title last year won her ninth overall Bix crown (four open and five masters).

The race will again have the same prize structure for the top 10 men's and women's finishers. Each winner will receive a 2005 automobile from Lujack's Northpark Auto Plaza of Davenport, the nation's largest independently owned auto mall featuring vehicles from 16 different manufacturers.

The prize structure for 2nd place through 10th is as follows: 2nd - $4,000; 3rd - $2,500; 4th - $1,500; 5th - $1,000; 6th - $900; 7th - $800; 8th - $700; 9th - $600; 10th - $500. (A full list of Elite competitors and notes accompanies this release) -more-

2005 Quad-City Times Bix 7 Elite Athlete Commitment (as of July 21, 2005)
Women
Gladys Asiba - Kenya (Fifth Bix Start; runs a 32-minute 10K)
Sally Barsosio - Kenya (Second Bix; has five top-10 finishes this year)
Edna Kiplagat - Kenya (Second Bix, had a top-10 finish July 9th at Utica Boilermaker)
Victoria Klimina - Russia (First Bix, won Crazy 8's 8K July 16 in Kingsport, TN)
Lyubov Kremleva - Russia (First Bix)
Anastasia Ndereba - Kenya (Third Bix)
Catherine Ndereba - Kenya (Sixth Bix; won silver medal in marathon at 2004 Athens Olympics)
Nuta Olaru - Romania (First Bix; won Cherry Blossom earlier this year in Washington, D.C.)
Luminita Talpos - Romania (Third Bix; top 10 in previous visits including second in 2003)
Teresa Wanjiku - Kenya (Third Bix; has a sub-32-minute PR at 10K)

Men
Kyle Baker - USA (Second Bix; former Michigan State star)
Reuben Cheruiyot - Kenya (Third Bix; five top-10's so far this year)
Nephat Kinyanjui - Kenya (First Bix; four top-5 finishes this year)
Henry Kipchirchir - Kenya (First Bix; is 22 and stands an imposing 6'6")
David Kirui - Kenya (Second Bix; finished seventh in 2003)
Joseph Koech - Kenya (First Bix; has a sub 28-minute PR at 10K)
John Korir - Kenya (Seventh Bix; won Cherry Blossom this year)
Jason Lehmkuhle - USA (First Bix; past All-American at Drake; on US World Marathon Team)
Andrew Letherby - Australia (Second Bix; has three top 10's this year)
Chris Lundstrom - USA (First Bix; ran 20th at Boston this year)
Linus Maiyo - Kenya (Third Bix; finished second last two years; seven top-10's this year)
Ernest Meli Kemeli - Kenya (First Bix; at 19 is youngest elite in field; four top-10's this year)
Samuel Ndereba - Kenya (Second Bix; four top 10's this year)
Gilbert Okari - Kenya (Second Bix; has seven top 10's this year)
Ryan Shay - USA (Second Bix; current 15K US National Champion)
Jason Woolhouse - New Zealand (First Bix; former star at Oklahoma State)
Tibebu Yenew - Ethiopia (First Bix; won Crazy 8's 8K July 16 in Kingsport, TN)

Boston to Bix: The nine previous BAA Boston Marathon Champions who have run at Bix - Men: Bill Rodgers*, Alberto Salazar, Greg Meyer, Geoff Smith, Rob de Castella Women: Kim Merritt*, Joan Samuelson*, Olga Markova*, Uta Pippig

*Won both Boston and Bix same year