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Bolder Boulder

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Bolder Boulder
LocationBoulder, Colorado United States
Distance10 kilometers (6.2 mi)
Primary sponsorFirstBank
Established1979
Course recordsMen: 27:52
Kenya Josephat Machuka (1995)
Women: 32:13
Kenya Delilah Asiago (1995)
Official siteOfficial website
Participants~54,000

The Bolder Boulder (styled as BOLDERBoulder and previously BolderBOULDER) is an annual 10-kilometer run in Boulder, Colorado. The 2007 race featured over 54,000[1] runners, walkers, and wheelchair racers, making it the second largest 10k race in the US[2] and the fifth largest road race in the world.[3] It has one of the largest non-marathon prize purses in road racing.[4]

The race culminates at the University of Colorado's Folsom Field with a Memorial Day Tribute with one of the largest Memorial Day gatherings in the United States. Organizers have dedicated three starting waves to current and former members of the U.S. armed forces.

On March 16, 2020, organizers of the Bolder Boulder race initially decided to postpone the race, usually held on Memorial Day, until Labor Day due to COVID-19.[5] On June 1, organizers then decided to cancel the 2020 race entirely.[6]

From 2002-2005, the presenting sponsor of the race was Celestial Seasonings. From 2008-2012, the named sponsor was Dick's Sporting Goods.[7] The 2025 presenting sponsor was Runners Roost.[8]

Many awards are given based on finish times within defined age groups. Among them is the "Ageless Wonder" category, awarded to runners who finish the 10K in less time than their age (Ex. 47-year-old who finishes in 46 minutes).[9][1]

Past winners

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The starting line of the race in 2025
Frank Shorter won the men's race in 1981.
Portugal's Rosa Mota is a five-time winner of the race.
Madaí Pérez won the 2004 women's race.
A section of the 2023 race with a view of the Flatirons
Race participants by Hotel Boulderado in 2018

Key:   Course record

Edition Year Men's winner[10] Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s)
1st 1979  Ric Rojas (USA) 29:43  Sandy Simmons (USA) 39:55
2nd 1980  Marc Hunter (USA) 30:42  Ruth Hamilton (USA) 38:12
3rd 1981  Frank Shorter (USA) 29:28  Ellen Hart Peña (USA) 34:54
4th 1982  Rodolfo Gómez (MEX) 28:51  Anne Audain (NZL) 32:38
5th 1983  Mark Scrutton (ENG) 28:51  Ellen Hart (USA) 34:46
6th 1984  Herb Lindsay (USA) 29:09  Rosa Mota (POR) 34:03
7th 1985  Paul Davies-Hale (ENG) 29:04  Rosa Mota (POR) 33:59
8th 1986  Arturo Barrios (MEX) 28:46  Rosa Mota (POR) 33:54
9th 1987  Arturo Barrios (MEX) 28:46  Nancy Tinari (CAN) 33:59
10th 1988  Rolando Vera (ECU) 29:06  Rosa Mota (POR) 34:41
11th 1989  Arturo Barrios (MEX) 28:59  Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) 33:59
12th 1990  Martin Pitayo (MEX) 28:48  Rosa Mota (POR) 33:14
13th 1991  Thomas Osano (KEN) 29:01  Delillah Asiago (KEN) 33:32
14th 1992  Thomas Osano (KEN) 28:40  Jill Boltz (ENG) 33:57
15th 1993  Arturo Barrios (MEX) 29:04  Uta Pippig (GER) 33:39
16th 1994  Armando Quintanilla (MEX) 29:31  Nadia Prasad (FRA) 33:28
17th 1995  Josephat Machuka (KEN) 27:52  Delillah Asiago (KEN) 32:13
18th 1996  Simon Rono (KEN) 28:28  Elana Meyer (RSA) 33:22
19th 1997  Hezron Otwori (KEN) 28:55  Libbie Hickman (USA) 33:25
20th 1998  Simon Rono (KEN) 28:50  Jane Omoro (KEN) 33:26
21st 1999  Birhanu Adane (ETH) 29:00  Lidia Șimon (ROM) 32:30
22nd 2000  Joseph Kimani (KEN) 28:55  Derartu Tulu (ETH) 33:09
23rd 2001  James Koskei (KEN) 29:00  Deena Drossin (USA) 33:25
24th 2002  Tom Nyariki (KEN) 29:08  Deena Drossin (USA) 33:12
25th 2003  Dejene Berhanu (ETH) 28:54  Deena Drossin (USA) 33:17
26th 2004  Paul Koech (KEN) 29:19  Madaí Pérez (MEX) 34:24
27th 2005  Gudisa Shentema (ETH) 29:21  Elva Dryer (USA) 32:51
28th 2006  Birhanu Adane (ETH) 29:37  Sara Slattery (USA) 33:42
29th 2007  Ridouane Harroufi (MAR) 29:52  Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 33:42
30th 2008  Ridouane Harroufi (MAR) 28:32  Millicent Gathoni (KEN) 32:49
31st 2009  Tilahun Regassa (ETH) 28:17  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 32:48
32nd 2010  Lelisa Desisa (ETH) 29:17  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 32:28
33rd 2011  Belete Assefa (ETH) 29:22  Lineth Chepkurui (KEN) 32:29
34th 2012  Allan Kiprono (KEN) 29:53  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 33:05
35th 2013  Allan Kiprono (KEN) 29:28  Merima Mohammed (ETH) 33:58
36th 2014  Afewerki Berhane (ERI) 29:11  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 32:21
37th 2015  Belete Assefa (ETH) 29:04  Meskerem Assefa (ETH) 33:31
38th 2016  Isaac Kiprono (KEN) 29:12  Amane Gobena (ETH) 33:39
39th 2017  Gabriel Geay (TZA) 29:02  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 32:44
40th 2018  Getaneh Molla (ETH) 29:18  Mamitu Daska (ETH) 32:37
41st 2019  Bernard Ngeno (KEN) 28:29  Hiwot Yemmer (ETH) 32:49
42nd 2022  Leonard Korir (USA) 29:28  Aliphine Tuliamuk (USA) 32:58
43rd 2023  Conner Mantz (USA) 29:08  Emily Durgin (USA) 33:24
44th 2024  Conner Mantz (USA) 29:12  Grace Nawowuna (KEN) 32:45
45th 2025  Conner Mantz (USA) 28:21  Grace Nawowuna (KEN) 31:51

Finisher Numbers

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Number of finishers[11] and registrants[12] each year
Year Finishers Registrants
1979 n/a 2,700
1980 4,324 5,280
1981 7,261 9,000
1982 11,177 n/a
1983 14,093 16,550
1984 15,783 17,400
1985 16,826 n/a
1986 17,926 n/a
1987 19,068 n/a
1988 14,943 n/a
1989 19,763 n/a
1990 23,849 26,470
1991 28,386 31,103
1992 29,530 35,080
1993 31,712 n/a
1994 31,816 35,750
1995 25,009 n/a
1996 34,495 n/a
1997 34,504 n/a
1998 37,345 40,145
1999 39,099 n/a
2000 40,546 n/a
2001 40,743 n/a
2002 42,240 45,822
2003 44,613 48,242[13]
2004 43,772 47,454
2005 42,158 n/a
2006 43,388 n/a
2007 43,829 50,816
2008 47,794 n/a
2009 47,783 n/a
2010 48,430 n/a
2011 49,201 54,544
2012 46,535 n/a
2013 43,434 n/a
2014 45,765 52,115
2015 45,107 n/a
2016 44,763 n/a
2017 44,997 n/a
2018 46,170 51,051
2019 42,587 n/a
2020 cancelled cancelled
2021 remote remote
2022 34,224 n/a
2023 34,697 n/a
2024 41,388 n/a
2025 52,185 n/a
An Elvis Impersonator at the race in 2025
A Slip 'N Slide Station at the race in 2025

Entertainment

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The Bolder Boulder race course typically features entertainment along the route, supplied by local companies and individuals. Entertainment can include belly dancers, Elvis impersonators[14], local bands, disc jockeys, and the Bateria Alegria percussion ensemble from the Boulder Samba School.[15] Aside from the performers, there is often a Slip 'N Slide, trampoline and bounce house for race participants to enjoy. In addition to the official water stations provided by race organizers, there are also typically unofficial stations along the route featuring beer, liquor, bacon, cotton candy, and other foods. It is common for lines to form at these stations due to their popularity among the casual race participants. On hot days, locals often provide lawn sprinklers, water guns, and garden hoses to cool down race participants.[16][17][18][19][20]

References

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  1. ^ "Bosley hopes race No. 30 runs smoother : Top Stories : Boulder Daily Camera". Archived from the original on 2007-08-11. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  2. ^ "Largest Races | Running USA". Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  3. ^ "Largest Races | Running USA". Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  4. ^ "SBLI Falmouth Road Race Announces America's Largest Non-Marathon Prize Purse." Archived September 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine New England Runner, February 14, 2002, retrieved October 1, 2006
  5. ^ Meyer, John (16 March 2020). "Bolder Boulder postpones to fall; new date to be determined". The Denver Post. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  6. ^ Meyer, John (1 June 2020). "After postponing, Bolder Boulder decides to officially cancel 2020 race". The Denver Post. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  7. ^ "ARRS - Race series: Bolder Boulder". more.arrs.run. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
  8. ^ "Presenting Sponsor Runners Roost - NIKE". BOLDERBoulder 10K. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  9. ^ "BB10K Medals & Awards". BOLDERBoulder 10K. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  10. ^ "Bolder Boulder 10 km". www.arrs.run. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  11. ^ "BOLDERBoulder - Past Results". OnlineRaceResults. Online Race Results. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Our Historical Milestones". Bolder Boulder. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Bosley hopes race No. 30 runs smoother : Top Stories : Boulder Daily Camera". Archived from the original on 2007-08-11. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  14. ^ "Costumes, cartwheels and Jello shots: Bolder Boulder marks return to race traditions". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  15. ^ "2013 Bolder Boulder Course Entertainment". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  16. ^ "From bacon to bands: Bolder Boulder course filled with entertainment". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  17. ^ "Bolder Boulder: It's all about taking the fun in stride". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  18. ^ "CU Buffs enjoy race, festivities at Bolder Boulder". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  19. ^ "2019 Bolder Boulder draws about 50,000 racers". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  20. ^ "At Bolder Boulder, the fun is on the sidelines". Retrieved 2025-06-03.
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