Celebrating Michelle Juehring, Race Director of the Year

At haku, we support some of the world’s biggest races and give endurance event organizers the tools they need to thrive. One of our favorite partnerships is with the Quad-City Times Bix 7, a powerfully community-driven race that takes place every year in Davenport, Iowa that’s been a loyal and happy haku customer since 2017. That’s just one reason we were thrilled to sit down and talk with Michelle Juehring, race director of the Quad-City Times Bix 7 and haku power user.  

Michelle was recently named Race Director of the Year in an award presented by Road Race Management. While the award recognizes individual leadership, Michelle is quick to point out that it represents something much bigger than one person.

“I’m extremely honored. I’m very humbled, and I’m grateful to receive this award,” she said. “I feel it’s 100 percent a team effort.”

For Michelle, the recognition reflects decades of collective effort and community care.

“I wish there were more names that could go on this award,” she added. “It wasn’t me alone. It was our organization, our community, our sponsors and every runner, walker, and volunteer over the past 51 years.”

From the outset, Michelle makes it clear that she does not view herself as the sole force behind the Bix 7. Instead, she sees her role as stewarding a legacy built by generations of people who care deeply about the event and the community it serves. In particular, she praised Laura Torgerud, Operations Director for the Bix 7 and the over 4,000 volunteers who are “instrumental” in making their events possible. 

Michelle also wanted us to shout out how helpful the haku team has been, from haku CSO Jackie Levi, to Customer Experience Manager, Allison Medina to COO Jose Escobar, who features in a powerful story from this past year.

Leading a Legacy Through Uncertainty

Michelle stepped into the role of race director at a moment when stability was anything but guaranteed. Just three months into her tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic brought in-person racing to a halt across the world.

“I was about three months in when COVID hit, when the world of sports stood still,” she said.

Despite the disruption, the Bix 7 did not press pause its mission. Instead, it adapted to the changes they saw happening across the world.

“Challenges breed new opportunities,” Michelle explained. “We were able to continue the event virtually, and that year we had 3,500 people participate.”

What followed revealed just how far the Bix 7’s impact reaches for their community and beyond.

“We had people sending pictures from China and Germany saying, ‘Here we are doing the Bix,’” she said. “It warmed my heart and reminded me what the Bix means to people.”

That experience reshaped how Michelle and her team thought about access, participation, and continuity. It also laid the groundwork for future virtual offerings and a renewed focus on connection, regardless of geography.

Creating Space for Everyone

As the Quad-City Times Bix 7 has evolved, one principle has remained central. The event is for everyone.

That philosophy shows up in the Arconic Junior Bix, which introduces children to racing in a joyful and welcoming way. It shows up in virtual options that help participants maintain long-running streaks when life intervenes. It also comes through powerfully in The Bechtel Trusts Senior Bix, introduced during the race’s 50th anniversary.

“We wanted to honor the participants who got us to 50 years, knowing that many of them can’t run up the hill anymore,” Michelle said, referencing the iconic Brady Street Hill.

What followed was something special.

“We had participants running fast, we had participants walking, we had people using walkers with tennis balls on the bottom,” she recalled. “We had people who had not seen each other for years, for decades. It was a huge celebration.”

The Senior Bix became more than a race. It became a happy reunion, a reminder that participation matters just as much as performance.

“It has allowed us to continue what we are,” Michelle said, “which is a world-class race, and something for someone who just wants to get out, walk, have a good time, or accomplish a goal.”

That same commitment to inclusion extends to the special needs virtual race, which creates opportunities for young participants to engage on their own terms.

“These young individuals do their race their way, in the space and time that works for them,” Michelle said. “It is beautiful to see that spirit and can-do attitude.” 

Listening Before Leading

Innovation at the Bix 7 does not start with trends or industry playbooks but rather with listening to the community.

“I think it’s important to hear other voices, listen to what people are saying, and then look at your goals and mission,” Michelle said.

Even as the event evolves, its identity remains steady.

“Things will change with the times,” she added, “but there should always be that constant. Are we family-friendly? Are we community-minded? Are we creating space for everyone?”

That balance between progress and purpose has helped the Bix 7 grow without losing what makes it special. 

The Decisions No One Sees

Race day is defined by a start line and a finish line. What often goes unseen are the decisions that make those moments possible.

Earlier this year, severe weather nearly forced the cancellation of the Bix 7. The experience remains vivid for Michelle.

“My eye still twitches and I get a knot in my stomach when I think about it,” Michelle said.

Planning and coordination began days in advance and intensified in the early hours of race day, with input from safety teams, weather experts, local media, and community partners. Michelle explained that:

 “Starting at 4:00AM, race morning with the storms, and along with Laura and the team of safety organizations, Jose from haku was key in helping us get our information out to our participants. That's not his job, but he did not hesitate to step in and offer solutions to help. Just another example of how Haku is more than just a registration company, they're part of our team.”

“Every decision was in 15-minute increments,” she added. “We communicated publicly on a regular schedule, even when we didn’t have all the answers yet because Safety of participants, volunteers, stakeholders, sponsors, and community members comes first.”

When the race ultimately went on, it did so without all the usual trappings, but with no shortage of spirit.

“We didn’t have all our mile markers up,” she said. “But we had people on a megaphone and a stopwatch, yelling out the times even though it was raining.”

Participants sheltered with the help of local businesses and organizations along the course, then returned in record numbers once it was safe.

“Participants waited, sheltered, and then came out in record numbers,” Michelle said. “It was fantastic.” 

What People Take for Granted

Being a race director is often misunderstood as a seasonal role. Michelle disagrees.

“I chuckle when people say, ‘It’s December, so this is your downtime,’” she said. “It’s different, but it’s not downtime. It’s a year-round career.”

Beyond logistics and planning, the role carries a deeply human dimension. Michelle regularly hears stories about the Bix 7 in grocery stores, at church, and around the Quad Cities.

“Calling it part of my job makes it sound laborious, and it’s not,” she said. “It’s a privilege to make space for people to tell their story.”

That connection is what keeps her going.

“I have a front-row seat,” she added. “And it keeps me motivated.”

A Well-Earned Recognition

By the end of our conversation with Michelle, the Race Director of the Year award feels less like a surprise and more like a natural conclusion. 

Michelle Juehring leads with humility, listens with intention, and builds events that reflect the people they serve. Under her stewardship, the Bix 7 continues to evolve while holding fast to its heart.

For more than half a century, the Bix 7 has brought people together across generations, abilities, and backgrounds. Michelle has helped ensure that tradition not only continues, but grows stronger.

Congratulations to Michelle Juehring, Race Director of the Year! The recognition is well deserved.