BOLDERBoulder 

America’s all-time best 10K celebrates its 45th anniversary

By Christopher C. Wuensch

The BOLDERBoulder 10K has a message for the runners of Boulder County and beyond: You can do it! The venerable annual race turns 45 years “bold” on May 26, 2025, continuing its prominence as one of the nation’s premier Memorial Day events.

And while the race attracts world-class runners from across the globe, it’s the local flair that has runners lacing up their sneakers every year. “It’s been our battle cry since 1979,” says race director Cliff Bosley. “Oh yes, you can.”

On Your Mark, Get Set …

The BOLDERBoulder has been a family affair since its inception by Steve Bosley, Cliff’s father. Back then, Steve Bosley wanted to create a track and field event for local youths. When that proved to be a long, arduous day, compounded by a little league mentality among parents, Bosley turned to friend Frank Shorter—a Boulder icon and Olympic gold medalist at the 1972 Munich games—for a new idea. Shorter not only lent his expertise but also won the third annual BOLDERBoulder, the first to finish at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field, which now proudly boasts a life-sized bronze statue of the world-class distance runner.

Cliff Bosley became race director in 2008 with one mission: “Let’s figure out how we can do things the best.” Today, the BOLDERBoulder is the fourth largest race of its kind in the nation, and Runner’s World named it “America’s All-Time Best 10K.”

It’s since spawned offshoot events such as December’s ColderBOLDER 5K (created in 2003) and the BOLDERBoulder Base Race (2006), the largest first-time race ever in Iraq. They’ve since expanded races to Kuwait and the USS Nimitz. Since 2006, more than 25,000 service men and women have had the opportunity to be a part of the Memorial Day Tradition.

Celebrating Youth and Military Veterans

Paying tribute to service members is an integral part of the BOLDERBoulder, and its closing ceremony is hailed as the country’s largest Memorial Day tribute. Proceeds from the event go toward CU Track and Field and the Boulder County Veterans’ services.

“We want to connect the community and to grow the sport and honor service members,” Cliff Bosley says.

The race team created its Bold Squad initiative to help generate interest in running among younger audiences. The program, aimed at kids 14 years and younger, is a 10-week program that offers tips for training, a training tracker and a Bold Squad medal awarded at its Race Day Expo.

“There’s something different for everyone,” Cliff Bosley says, adding that the ultimate goal is to introduce younger generations or reintroduce former runners back into the sport.

Lace ‘Em Up on Race Day

Regardless of your running experience or level, the BOLDERBoulder is for you. Runners have the option to compete in a variety of categories, including elite, team, the professional wheelchair race and more.

Runners of all ages participate, roughly 40 percent under age 30 and another 10 percent under 14. And while approximately 90 percent of the participants call Colorado home, runners arrive in Boulder for the event from all 50 states, as well as countries from as far away as Australia and Japan, to name a few.

“A seven-year-old can beat a thirty-year-old,” Cliff Bosley says. “The race doesn’t discriminate.”

With more than 4,830+ athletes separated into 95 start groups based on experience, the BOLDERBoulder releases runners in increments, or “waves,” of one group every two minutes. In total, it takes 2.5 hours to release all of the waves.

This launch design is unique to the BOLDERBoulder which first pioneered the system in 1984 and begins at 6:45 a.m. with the wheelchair race. These waves are designed so that runners can cross the finish line at Folsom Field at relatively the same time to avoid congestion and lulls in the action—allowing runners to experience the euphoria of finishing in front of a packed stadium.

But you’ll have to be fast to challenge the course records set by Josephat Machuka (27:57) and Delilah Asiago (32:13) on a rainy day in 1995.

The real fun arguably is not the race. Runners encounter a vintage Boulder-esque party-like atmosphere as they traverse the hilly course, including performances by three dozen live bands, Elvis impersonators, and lots more fun and shenanigans. Additionally, residents partake in the fun, not only cheering runners but also handing out snacks, blowing bubbles, blaring tunes of their own and more.

“In the past, I’ve done a party lap,” says Jess Nicolosi, a Boulder resident who’s run the race countless times. “That’s when you have an early wave, race it, then run the course again to partake in all of the craziness.”

Race Day Tools

Runners or their families, friends and fans can track their progress via the BOLDERBoulder 10K app, which provides real-time tracking, an interactive course map and the ability to share via social sites. That’s in addition to push notifications during the race and access to swag bag offers from sponsors.

The best part is it’s not too late to sign up to run. Registration is open right up until the morning of the race. Not a runner and want to be a part of the fun? BOLDERBoulder is always looking for helpers to join roughly 1,800 volunteers who make the race run smoothly.

Ready to lace ’em up? Get more information and register for this year’s race at bolderboulder.com.