Meb, Huddle Win at Bix 7
Run the Roads was on-site at the 35th annual Bix 7 in Davenport, Iowa, where the USATF 7 Mile Road Championship took place. From the start, both the men’s and women’s fields spread out, with the pre-race favorites grabbing the lead. In the end, Meb Keflezighi won the men’s race in 32:25, while Molly Huddle won the women’s race in 37:39, both athletes taking home $10,000 in prize money.
Bix 7 Official Website / USATF Championship Page
*See our live updates on Twitter - RtR Twitter Page
Men’s Race Summary
A fast early pace set the tone for a great race. With the first mile of the Bix 7 being straight up hill, the men’s field, which was vying for $22,500 in prize money Saturday morning, stayed rather packed up, as they hit the first mile mark around 5:03. The next mile was blazing, stringing out quite a bit, as Meb Keflezighi, Anthony Famiglietti, James Carney and Dan Browne ran between 4:08-4:12.
At the 2.5 mile mark, Meb gapped the field just a bit, with Famiglietti hanging back off his shoulder, as the two continued to push the pace. At the 3.5 mile turn around, Meb had a ten meter lead on Fam, while Carney (pictured left) and Browne remained 3-4. The next 2.5 miles were a gradual climb, as Meb continued to increase his lead, building it to nearly 30 seconds heading into the final mile.
On the final mile, which let the runners really stretch out their legs, as it was completely downhill, Meb held his lead, cruising to victory in 32:25. Fam finished strong over the final 800m, placing second in 32:56, while James Carney finished third in 33:17. Brian Olinger (33:30) and Antonio Vega (33:35) finished 4-5 respectively.
Men’s Top Ten Results
1. Meb Keflezighi (San Diego, CA) - 32:25
2. Anthony Famiglietti (Knoxville, TN) - 32:56
3. James Carney (Boulder, CO) - 33:17
4. Brian Olinger (Columbus, OH) - 33:30
5. Antonio Vega (Saint Paul, MN) - 33:35
6. Josh Moen (St. Louis Park, MN) - 33:36
7. Bret Schoolmeester (Portland, OR) - 33:41
8. Dan Browne (San Diego, CA) - 33:44
9. Forest Braden (Spokane, WA) - 33:50
10. Ian Burrell (Flagstaff, AZ) - 33:56
Women’s Race Summary
A quick early pace strung out the competitive women’s field, leaving a trio of women up top for over half the race, battling it out for the women. Those three women were Olympian Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, Molly Huddle (pictured right) and Serena Burla. The three runners battled for the majority of the race, running stride for stride and every so often exchanging leads.
In the end, Huddle used the steep last mile to pull slightly ahead, crossing the finish line in a victorious 37:39. Burla shocked the field just a bit, beating Lewy-Boulet, and finishing second in 37:44, while Lewy-Boulet earned third with a 37:46 finishing time. Ilsa Paulson (37:54) and Sally Meyerhoff (38:04) finished fourth and fifth.
Women’s Top Ten Results
1. Molly Huddle (Providence, RI) - 37:39
2. Serena Burla (Ellisville, MO) - 37:44
3. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet (Oakland, CA) - 37:46
4. Ilsa Paulson (New York City, NY) - 37:54
5. Sally Meyerhoff (Eugene, OR) - 38:04
6. Jill Steffens (Athens, GA) - 38:42
7. Rachel Marchand (Valparaiso, IN) - 38:45
8. Kristen Lehmkuhle (Minneapolis, MN) - 38:54
9. Meghan Armstrong (Minneapolis, MN) - 39:06
10. Kelly Jaske (Portland, OR) - 39:17
Video Interviews
Meb Keflezighi
Anthony Famiglietti
Molly Huddle
