2022 BolderBoulder is on again after a two-year absence
One of Colorado’s traditions will return when the BolderBoulder 10K run resumes this Memorial Day after a two-year absence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first BolderBoulder in three years and the 42nd running of the event is cause for celebration, says Race Director Cliff Bosley.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring back this great tradition that is embraced by so many in our community, the state and beyond,” Bosley said. “We’ve missed our participants and our spectators and we know they’ve missed us. It’s great to be back with this fantastic outdoor community event.”
Bosley said the race’s return is testament to the hard work, collaboration and coordination of the BolderBoulder, the City of Boulder, CU Boulder and many additional partners and entities.
“Having to cancel the race the past two years gave us important perspective on just how much the BolderBoulder means to our participants, our spectators and the community,” Bosley said. “It’s like reconnecting with a great friend you haven’t seen lately.”
In addition to the 10K event, the Bolder Boulder is a remembrance of the more than 1.3 million men and women in the Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice in defending America’s freedoms. It also celebrates veterans and those now serving in the Armed Forces. It provides one of the largest Memorial Day tributes in the country.
This year’s race will also honor the 50th anniversary of Frank Shorter’s Olympic gold medal-winning run in the marathon at the Olympics in Munich in 1972. Shorter has been named the Official Starter of the 2022 BolderBoulder. He will launch more than 80 waves of competitors.
In 1981, Shorter won the race, becoming the first of 1,381,060 participants (over 40 years) to cross the finish line at Folsom Field on the University of Colorado campus. The event first finished in the stadium in 1981 and has done so ever since.
Bosley said the wave start, created and pioneered by the BolderBoulder, spaces out participants by design, adding to the safety of the outdoor event. The A wave (the first to start) is scheduled to begin at 6:55 a.m. and the final wave is expected to start around 9:30 a.m.
We felt this event’s absence due to COVID-19 and are delighted to welcome locals and visitors back to Boulder,”, said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “The BOLDERBoulder is a Memorial Day tradition, a rite of passage from spring to summer and a community-defining event that brings us together to showcase the best of Boulder and the University of Colorado.”
CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano said CU Boulder is excited to see the event’s return. “CU Boulder and the BolderBoulder have been great partners for several decades on this community-wide race and celebration,” he said. “We are as delighted as anyone to see it return and we’re thrilled to have it once again finish on our campus.”
About BOLDERBoulder
The BOLDERBoulder, named America’s All-Time Best 10K by Runner’s World magazine, is the 5th largest running race in the United States and the 7th largest in the world.
The race attracts 48,000-52,000 runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchair racers and professional athletes from around the world to compete in one of the most unique pro race team formats in road racing.
The race course winds through Boulder neighborhoods with live music and entertainment at every corner. The race finishes at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field and attracts over 100,000 runners and spectators.
posted Tuesday May 24th