Bolder Boulder

This is my second year running this race and it never fails to disappoint from the spectators handing out Jell-​O shots to slip n slides, on course entertainment, and of course the after party that pursues! This is Americas all time best 10k, so it draws over 50,000 runners!
With that said, you want to be able to get a pace time pretty high up there so you’re in a higher wave time because trust me it gets crowded! The course itself is pretty challenging as Boulder is a city in the foothills meaning it’s quite hilly. Between the organization and the course, one can see why this is Americas all time best 10k.
This year to pick up your lunch bag and beer was a lot easier than before. Instead of standing in a single line to retrieve each item, they separated it into 6 lines, warehouse style which made it quick and easy!
The post race expo is always in a compact space, so it feels like you’re being herded hence you wanna get done quicker because it gets packed and I’m sure the vendors run out of free items they hand out. By far, this post race expo is superior to most other races in Colorado that I have ran in so far.

First time running the Bolder Boulder (2015) and I give kudos to those who organize this event. The order of the waves, the entertainment along the route and the celebrations afterwards is fabulous! From start to finish, the vibes throughout are beyond words.

This annual Memorial Day 10k race finishes at CU Boulder’s Folsom Field which honors our fallen service men and women. In the 2014 ceremony they had skydivers, 21-​gun salute, and plane flybys. Register early in January for starting entrance price of $ 50 or pay $ 70 on race day. By registering online, they will ship your shirt package to a nearby retail store for pick up so you don’t have to wait in line on race day.
I highly recommend to park at a RTD Park-​N-​Ride station in the Denver area and pay $ 10 roundtrip for the non-​stop RunRide bus that drops you off right at the start line. You can drive through all the traffic and find $ 20 parking in Boulder but then have to walk 2 miles to the start line which turns into a 4 mile walk in addition to your 10k. The bus option forces you to catch the return bus right after ceremony and does not give you time to explore the Boulder Creek Festival in the afternoon.
The policy for backpacks is smaller than 12×12 but I saw people carrying mid size Camelbak. They have many water stations along the way but I suggest bringing your own water especially for out of town folks not use to the high elevation. It wasn’t 5 stars for me personally because of all the hassle getting here and navigating through over 50,000 people trying to stay with your group of friends. Everyone should experience Boulder Boulder at least once. For those that want to create your own 10k for free, run on Cherry Creek Trail.

Very well organized event, but wish they put more creativity into their event shirt. For a race this big they could do a lot better.

Store moved: 1710 29^th street, #1068
Boulder CO 80 301
Store closes on 05/​24/​2013
Then go to SportsExhibit on Pearl St Mall

This year’s BB was just as fabulous as the last. It takes some serious organization to get that many people through the course without injury.
Plus, it’s fun. I tend get anxious when I don’t have access to food and I was happy to see that I had plenty of options to snack on along the 6.2 mile course. Doritos, cupcakes, beer and marshmallows would have tided me over if needed.
We took the Run Ride again to the race but wanted to spend some time in Boulder afterwards to drink and talk about what bad-​asses we were. We ended up walking back to Mountain Sun and took a regular RTD bus back to Denver which was just as easy as the Run Ride.

This high energy short race is one of the running highlights of the year for me. Thousands of people, quirky bands and neighborhoods along the way, and a great celebration at the finish. This was my third year running the race, and I was not disappointed.
The packet pick up is the most well-​organized packet pick up of any race I have participated in. Simply register online, wait for a confirmation email, and then go to any one of twenty-​some locations to pick up your shirt and timing chip. No expos, no long lines, no awkward times. Extremely convenient and well handled.
The race itself is also very well organized and makes a runner more able to concentrate on the race (and the fun) then getting to the start line. Waves are well laid out and labeled. The race can be as serious or fun as you wish to make it. I did the last 2 years somewhat seriously, but this year I opted to go in costume. I also enjoyed some turkey bacon along the way! The race also featured a slip-​n-​slide, free donuts and beer during the run, freezy pops, and a pool to jump in. Or you can skip that excitement all together and just run.
My only real complaint is that Boyer’s coffee is served, which I think is gross. But the incredibly well-​organized bus system from Denver and the surrounding area into Boulder fully made up for the bad coffee. The bus is the way to go to avoid terrible traffic and long waits in the parking lot. This race is a must-​do if you enjoy running and live in the area.

As always, you are a delight!
Many locals are there to cheer you on as you run your way through the mix of residential and business area’s of the lower end of downtown Boulder. The race organizes a few official bands to keep you pepped and other fun groups like belly dancers and cheer teams are always around. You may be offered bacon, doughnuts, tater tots, beer, marshmallows, vodka shots, rape whistles, a cool run in a sprinkler, or flop down a slip and slide. These are only the few of the things that I have been offered that I can remember over my past few years running.
If you are a competitive runner or a slow walker, there’s a place for you in this race. It is very well organized so that you feel at home in the wave they choose for you. Though this year they ran out of the complementary Mic Ultra, there will always be a nice goodie bag to nourish you in the end. The expo is not to be missed either… if you like swag enough to brave the vulturous crowds. Try to make it in the earliest wave that you can so you don’t miss out on the freebies and events. If you are near the end you may not have all that the earlier finishers were awarded. I guess that means we’ll just have to train harder for next Memorial Day’s Bolder Boulder! Yay!

I ran my first Bolder Boulder in 1995. Yes, I am getting old! Anyway it is a Colorado institution and everyone should run it at least once. The BB is actually almost exactly my age, how cute.
The race is crazy, with almost 50,000 runners last I heard. The wave start is very well-​organized and if you qualify for an early wave the crowds aren’t bad at all. I would say the course is moderate — the hill at mile 6 is kind of mean but the rest of the race is fairly flat. If you can get to the expo at the end fairly early as well it isn’t bad, although it has changed over the years from lots of free stuff to lots of stuff you have to pay for, which I guess is to be expected.
It is an experience everyone should have, so if you’ve never done it, sign up!

I’ve ran the Bolder Boulder seven times now and each year it gets better with free beer at the finish! The neighbors come out and support as you run pass, along with local bands to keep you motivated. You finish the last ¼mile in Folsom Field at CU feeling like an accomplished track star. Excellent Memorial Day tribute follows. It’s worth the crowds. Do I hear Chariots of Fire? LOL!

This review is solely for the planners of the Bolder Boulder in respect to the bus service, not the race or festivities themselves, since I’d give that 6 stars if I could.
Anyway…what the hell happened this year? A bus ride that has taken 20 minutes max in past years took almost 2 hours this year. I had a friend visiting that scheduled her flight for after the race, but since the bus situation was such a cluster %&^$, she wasn’t able to participate at all and had to turn around the second she reached the start line. Another friend and I ended up walking the last ¹⁄₃ of the bus route because it was faster than staying on the bus.
I understand there was some road construction along some of the routes, but that certainly shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone planning the BB. Perhaps some police traffic control would have helped? Brilliant job, BB staff. Just brilliant.

I just finished my 10^th Bolder Boulder. It is the best road race I have ever run. My family all visits Colorado every Memorial Day for the Bolder Boulder — it has become a tradition. The race is very organized with about 40 or so waves all grouped by time; with some of the earlier waves being reserved for qualifying runners. This type of organization is required for over 50,000 participants!
The after race festivities are awesome. There is both a men’s and women’s professional race with some of the finest 10k runners in the world. The gifts and give-​aways are great. This is an amazing race for the entire family and for both seasoned and beginning runners alike.