Russell’ s Beat the Elite athletes will be given the opportunity to race and beat the overall winner of the Quad-City Times Bix 7. The two people selected will be given a head start depending on the needed handicap to make the event competitive. If the chosen runners “beat the elite” to the finish line, he or she will win …$2,500!
Event Results
2004 Tim Delf was outkicked by winner John Korir despite a 2.4 mile head start. He ran 32:49 and lost by 13 seconds.
2005 Janelle Swanberg cruised to a $3,100 jackpot, 31:41 with a 2.4 mile head start to beat Gilbert Okari by 43 seconds.
2006 David Ramp won $3,200, beating race winner Lawrence Kiprotich by 12 seconds. Time of 32:01, after a 2.7 mile head start.
2007 Christy Lazaridis won $3,300, beating race winner Duncan Kibet by 1:18, finishing in 30:57 with a 2.7 mile head start.
2008 Ben Houtikier was beaten to the finish line by 13 runners. With a 2 mile head start, he finished in 34:25.
2009 Ben Lloyd won $3,500 with a time of 32:17 and a .9 mile head start. He finished 8 seconds in front of Meb Keflezighi.
2010 Ashley Kamba won by crossing the finish line nearly 2 ½ minutes ahead of Ryan Hall taking home $3,600.
2011 Jim Irwin crossed the finish line 26 seconds before the Kenyans to take home $3,700.
2012 Bob Madison was beaten by two runners, finishing in 32.37. The Board & Rhythm City Casino decided to donate $2,500 to his charity to construct a house in Haiti.
2013 Brock DeToye finished 1st in 31.35 ahead of Men’s champion Leonard Korir of Kenya, taking home $2,500.
2014 Kathy Schmitt finished 1st in 31.20, 27 seconds ahead of the winner Sean Quigley, taking home the Jackpot of $2,500.
2015 Travis Allen never reached the finish line. With a lead he collapsed from heat exhaustion 3 blocks from the Finish Line.
2016 Nancy Van Hemert 31:32 and Corporate Runner Mark Rodgers 30:47 crossed the finish line ahead of the Elite winner Silas Kipruto. Both donated their Jackpot Prize to charity..
2017 Joy Ripslinger won with a time of 31:06. She donated the prize to the Assumption track team and Brittany’s Gifts.
2018 Bob Beardsley finished ahead of race winner Belay Tilahun with a time of 30:45. He donated the prize money.
2019 Mallory Asbe went neck to neck with winner Leonard Barsoton before needing assistance to cross the finish line.
2021 Doug Boleyn was passed by the elite pack just after making the turn from Brady Street onto 3rd Street. He finished in 33.55.
2022: Olivia Moore and Sam Russell were selected as participants in the Russell Break the Tape competition and they finished well ahead of the field to each win $2,500.
2023: Kelly Grubbs and Nathan Windt were the first to cross the finish line, each winning $2,500 and beating the Elite runners.
2024: Colin Cartee and Grace Boleyn successfully beat the overall elite winner. Cartee donated his winnings to GiGi’s Playhouse of the Quad Cities, and Boleyn to Pleasant Valley running programs.