The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon is all that is wonderful about an amazing, five-city community.
It is multiple races – some spanning two states and two bridges – bringing young and old together for a fun-filled weekend in September.
“The TBK Quad Cities Marathon (https://www.qcmarathon.org/) is truly what our community is about,’’ said Joe Moreno, TBK the Bank Marathon Race Director, said before a large, enthusiastic, upbeat crowd gathered recently at Bettendorf, Iowa’s Crawford Brew Works, a longtime stand-behind staple of the marathon.
Moreno, who hatched the idea three decades ago, is in his 28th year as its director.
“It’s about showcasing what a great community we have, and an event dedicated to offering something for everyone,’’ Moreno said at the end of the gathering. “If this is your get-off-the-couch moment, we have something for you. If it’s your volunteer moment and you want to share your talents with your community, we have something for you. This is about home. And home is special.’’
The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon is the highlight of a weekend filled with race-related events, culminating in the 26.2-mile Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.
Sunday also features the Mel Foster Co. Half Marathon, The Rock Valley (Rockvalleypt.com) 5-Person Relay, the XPAC 10K-run, and the Group O 5K-run/walk. Saturday brings to light the Rudy’s Tacos 1-mile walk/run, the Happy Joe’s kids’ micro marathon, the Treadmill Heroes pump-n-run, the Fleet Feet Shake Out Run, and the Active Endeavors Health & Fitness Expo from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Moline’s Stoney Creek Inn.
UnityPoint Health/Trinity is the weekend’s medical provider, while NTI is the Post-Race Party (Sept. 28) sponsor.
Featuring a USATF Certified and Boston Qualifier course, the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon captures the essence of the Midwest with its picture-perfect connection to the Mississippi River.
“Sponsors for events like these don’t grow on trees, and I’d love to thank the business community for its commitment to this,’’ said Dave Harrell, President/CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “It’s also about home. I had been in Chicago and on my way home I heard the Ed Sheeran song, “Castle on the Hill.’’ Everyone can interpret song lyrics in whatever way, but what that song means to me is what (race director) Joe Moreno, “Witt’’ (assistant race director/expo) Laura “Witty’’ Wittnebel and (assistant race director) Mike (Mallon) – and their team – are doing with this wonderful event. They are making the Quad Cities a better place to live.’’
Committed to bettering the lives of the communities it serves and beyond, Rock Valley Physical Therapy is excited to again be an integral part of the event, serving as the sponsor of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon (5-person) Relay. Teams of five will run five legs across two states – including Arsenal Island – with a cash prize going to the top relay squad.
The room took an even more excited turn when Mallon shared that 100 marathon relay teams have already registered, adding 500 early names to the marathon registration. Mallon also noted that all TBK Quad Cities Marathon events have seen a spike in early registration over 2024 numbers.
Moreno says there would be no TBK Quad Cities Marathon without entities like Rock Valley Physical Therapy.
“I/we as a community can turn to, and trust, that Rock Valley will be there – always has been – always will be – for us,’’ Moreno said. “Right now, 100 five-member teams have committed to the relay. Why? Because it’s a wonderful team event and Rock Valley Physical Therapy is a wonderful team player for our community. We are so fortunate that Rock Valley sees what we see that this is vital to the Quad-Cities as a whole.’’
Rock Valley Physical Therapy, now in its 41st year, features 60-plus clinics covering four states. Looking after the communities it serves is simply part of Rock Valley’s DNA.
“I’m proud to be here today on behalf of Rock Valley Physical Therapy, the title sponsor of the Rock Valley 5-Person Relay,’’ said Danny Fleener, Clinic Manager, PT, MPT, OCS, told those gathered. A gifted runner with marathons completed across 48 states, Fleener is a staple of the Quad Cities’ running community.
“Supporting this incredible event year after year is something we’re truly honored to do,’’ added Fleener. “We’ve been part of this race for a long time. We keep coming back because this event embodies everything Rock Valley believes in, movement, community, and pushing for something better – together.’’
Fleener says wonderful things continue to happen across the Rock Valley landscape.
“Since last year’s race, we’ve hit a few big milestones,’’ he said. “We celebrated our 40th anniversary, and we expanded into our fourth state – continuing to grow while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve. Here in the Quad Cities, you’ll find us in Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Silvis, Rock Island, and, of course, at the finish line. Our therapists aren’t just cheering; they’re running alongside you. Because at Rock Valley, we don’t just treat runners, we are runners.’’
To register for any of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon events please visit: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/97138/tbk-bank-quad-cities-marathon
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller