By Stephanie Benhart, sbenhart@qconline.com

More photos from this shoot

Photo: Stephanie Makosky Greg Kelly, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., with his children, Owen, 2, and Grace, 4, dress as the characters from the Disney Pixar movie 'Up,' during the 2009 Bix 7 in Davenport on Saturday.

More photos from this shoot

Photo: Stephanie Makosky Cory Lenger, of Moline, has been participating in the Bix 7 race as Elvis Presley for 15 years now. He starts the morning at the Starting Line, a local bar in Davenport, with his friends and family who also dress as Elvis. They complete the full seven miles no matter how long it takes.

You can expect to see many things prior to race time on Bix weekend. People stretching, jogging or planning their course strategy are all common sites. And so is Elvis, and not just one Elvis, but six of him.

A 15-year tradition for the "Elvi," the group hangs out at Starting Line, a bar in downtown Davenport for their pre-race "warm-up."

"We do it for the fun of it," said Cory Lenger of Moline, a member of the Elvis group. "We have a great time."

The group this year included Mr. Lenger, Dale Dietz of Davenport, Scott Cullen of Taylor Ridge, Marty Lyons of Dubuque, Max Navaro of Marshfield, Wis., and Jake Navaro of La Crosse, Wis.

Mr. Cullen noted their cue to leave is another interesting group — the larger than life spine worn by those from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

But don't forget Marilyn Monroe — there's four of her — or St. Patrick or even the guy from Disney-Pixar's "Up." They're all there, and they all race. Some participate in the two-mile Quick Bix, while others conquer the seven-mile course.

The Elvi generally walk the race, taking time to pose in the street, with spectators or even runners, along the way.

"We do seven miles by the end of the day," Mr. Lenger said noting they do their own thing on the course.

"By the time we get to the top of the hill, the Kenyans are already coming down," Mr. Cullen joked of their slow start across the line.

This was Max Navaro's first year. After the race, he said the group, "probably (did) more posing than walking."

The Marilyns also put on a show throughout the race, stopping to chat with passerby and every once in awhile, do a little twirl.

The girls, also known as Robinn Bardell, Sally Koenigs and Katie Dunkelberger, all of Cedar Rapids, and Trisha Atkinson of Preston, hung out in the bar with Elvis and their "security" prior to the race. Some have portrayed the actress for five years and do other races.

"We decided the female icon needed to be represented (at the Bix) too," Ms. Koenigs said before.

The Kings and the Marilyns exited the bar, drinks in hand, to "We've got the Funk," drawing attention from other Bix runners. "Hey, it's the Marilyns," a runner said, racing by.

Other characters showed up along the race route. The Hogueison family from Council Bluffs got into the spirit with their portrayal of Harry Potter characters. "We always do something kid related so they (her children) can do it with us," said Michelle Hogueison. In the past the family has dressed as "The Incredibles" and Batman characters.

"I love doing the Bix," said 7-year-old Tabatha Hogueison who, with her twin brother Tanner, have done the Bix in costume for four years.

The Kellys from Hoffman Estates also made the race a family affair dressed as characters from "Up." Greg Kelly said his wife, Amanda, came up with the idea last minute Thursday night. His son Owen, 2, rode on his back while his daughter Grace, 4, walked as Russell the adventure scout. The family walked the Quick Bix together rather than try seven miles.

"We're crazy, not stupid," Mr. Kelly said.

Some were first timers to the costume world of the Bix. Joy Hyzny of Burbank dressed as a tiger and carried a stuffed animal monkey on her back for seven miles. Jessica Hopkins of Lisle, Rachel Michl of Moline and Jenna McAdam of Coal Valley raced as the Disney princesses for their 10th Bix in costume together.

"It's fun; it's a blast," Mr. Cullen said of why they dress up. "Everybody wants to be the King."