As reported in the Times a week ago - and repeated later on a few television sportcasts - John Deere Classic officials are concerned about getting enough volunteers for this summer's golf tournament.

The other big Quad-Cities sports event of summer has similar concerns. And it needs even more volunteers.

Jeff Bassman, the director of volunteers for the Quad-City Times Bix 7, said he will need at least 5,000 volunteers for the annual run through the streets of Davenport, scheduled for July 25. He said it was hard to find enough people last year and since this will be the 35th annual Bix 7, Bassman thinks some people who volunteered in the past may choose to run or walk the race this time.

"A lot of times people want to run the race in an anniversary year," he said. "I know we had a problem with the 25th anniversary. That means we'll need more people at the finish line, the starting line, at the water stations."

There are 130 different committees supervising various aspects of the Bix 7. Some of those 5,000 are recruited by the committee chairmen themselves, but Bassman always has to plug the holes with people he has recruited.

"I'm not sweating right now, but I thought maybe I'd start a little earlier this year," he said.

Unlike the golf tournament, the race is all over within a few hours. And Bix volunteers receive free shirts, rather than having to buy them, as they do with the JDC.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the race as a volunteer should call (563) 383-5353.