Ripslinger gets opportunity to Beat The Elite at Bix 7

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Recent Assumption IA graduate Joy Ripslinger is one of the headliners at Saturday's Quad-City Times Bix 7 race. 

It's a local road race that Ripslinger grew up with and it helped shape her as a standout high school track performer. 

So after she won four events -- the 400, 800, 1500 and 3,000 meters -- at the Iowa state meet, meet organizers decided to invite her to participate in the Bix 7 in the "Beat The Elite" role. 

Beat The Elite is a local wrinkle where someone, usually at random, gets a pre-determined head start and a chance to try and beat one of the top runners in the field. 

Saturday's Bix 7 also happens to double as the USATF 7 Mile Road Championship and the "elites" include top names like Alphine Tuliamuk, Sara Hall and Marielle Hall.

Ripslinger, who will attend Arkansas in the fall, will get a 2.25-mile head start. If she beats any of the elite women in the field she will get $2,500, which she will donate to charity. 

"It's an honor to have this opportunity," Ripslinger said at Friday's press conference. "The Bix has always held an important place in my heart. It's one of the coolest opportunities I've ever had."

Ripslinger is a bit more of a sprinter than a distance runner. She ran 2:07.18 for fifth place in the 800 meters June 24 at the USATF Junior Championships in Sacamento.