May 28, 2007 - Everyone should run the Bolder Boulder 10k at least once. The Bolder Boulder
attracts close to 50k runners. It's not just a run it's an event, a Memorial Day tradition in the state of
Colorado.

This is not a cheap race, $40 entry fee. However, they give you a few options when it comes to your
shirt. You can buy the standard cotton T-shirt, opt for the long sleeve shirt for a few more dollars, or
pick up the Tech Shirt for ten additional dollars. I like the different shirt options; it's the free market at
work. Last year I opted for the Pearl Izumi Tech Shirt and I was pleased with my choice. I put a value
of about zero dollars on a cotton T-shirt, so it's an easy decision to spend ten more dollars and get a
shirt that I will actually wear.

The Bolder Boulder uses Chip Timing, which is a must in a race of this size. However, what stands
out for the Bolder Boulder with their use in Chip Timing, is their decision to also have timing mats
placed at every mile marker. Thus, giving you your final race time and your mile splits. Last year
there were issues with getting the results calculated, but I assume these problems will have been
addressed for 2008.

Bolder Boulder is run in waves, and you must be able to prove your time to get entered in the more
competitive corals. Not only does the Bolder Boulder have this policy in place, but they enforce it as
well.  Volunteers make sure that runners do not sneak into a faster coral and if your chip time shows
that you started in a different wave than what you were registered for, your result is voided.

The Bolder Boulder is not an easy course. The course is hilly along with the finish being up hill
before running and finishing inside Folsom Stadium. It's a fun race and a race that all runners in
Colorado should experience at least once.

If you take racing seriously, however, the large crowd may irritate you. At times I was frustrated with
getting cut off or getting pinned going around a corner, but that's the only negative comments I have
regarding the Bolder Boulder.  Plus the crowd support is fantastic!

On a side note, I had a good laugh when a few weeks after the race I received a small medal in the
mail. It was for 13th place, not overall, nor was it for my age division. Out of all the 29 year olds, I
finished 13th overall.

It reminded me of the scene in "Meet the Fockers" where Robert Dinero and Dustin Hoffman are
discussing Ben Stiller's (Greg Focker) athletic shrine.

Jack (Robert Dinero) "Oh, I didn’t know they made 9th place ribbons?"
Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) "Oh, Jack, they got them all the way to 10th place"

Apparently they go to the 13th place in Bolder!

http://www.bolderboulder.com/
Bolder Boulder 10k Elevation Graph:
Bolder Boulder 10k Race Course Map:
Start
Finish