Renowned as America's All-Time Best 10K by Runner's World Magazine, BOLDERBoulder is set to welcome approximately 50,000 participants to Boulder, Colorado. Held annually on Memorial Day, the event attracts runners from the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area as well as from across the USA and the world.
Last year, American runners Conner Mantz (professional men), Emily Durgin (professional women), Howie Sanborn (professional men's push-rim wheelchair), and Kendall Gretsch (professional women's push-rim wheelchair) achieved a remarkable feat by sweeping the titles in all four professional races, a rare occurrence in the event's history. All eyes are on these reigning champions as they gear up to defend their titles in the upcoming race.
This year's race holds special significance as it serves as a crucial milestone for the men's U.S. Olympic marathon squad, offering them a final tune-up before heading to the Paris Olympics later this summer.
Photo Credit: John Elliott
Folsom Field at the University of Colorado - the venue for the BOLDERBoulder finish and post-race Memorial Day celebration
What Makes BolderBoulder the Best 10K?
Sea level is for slackers!
The BOLDERBoulder attracts both regular runners and pro athletes due to its scenic course, incredible organization, fan-friendly setup, community spirit highlighted by its Memorial Day Tribute. The race is also known for its irreverant spirit as it embraces its position in the foothills of the Rockies at an elevation of 5400 feet above sea level with its tag line: "Sea level is for slackers!" The current slogan replaced the prior slogan in use through 2014 - "Sea level is for sissies!" - when the race followed the national trend of political correctness - but, honestly, we like both slogans and the public laps up the apparel to show they have no fear.
Founded in 1979, this iconic race has continually raised the bar every year. In 1981, race co-founder and Olympic Marathon Champion Frank Shorter established the standard for elite-level racing by securing victory. And, with a current prize purse of $196,000, the BOLDERBoulder is one of the most lucrative non-marathon events, attracting some of the world's best runners.
The event's international focus soared in 1998 with the inception of the International Team Challenge, which draws talent from 26 countries to compete for team and individual honors. Each team represents a single country with three team members. The only exception is the USA, who is given 3 teams: the Red, White and Blue teams.
Before the professional men's and women's races begin at 11:15AM, there are an incredible 98 staggered waves of runners beginning at 6:50AM. This makes every runner feel like they're running in a smaller race within the race. After the final wave of runners cross the finish line, the professional runners get ready to compete. Thanks to this race format, the tens of thousands of the runners turn into spectators and fill Folsom Field at the University of Colorado to cheer on the professional runners as they do a lap of the field before reaching the iconic finish.
According to Conner Mantz, the current USA Olympic Trials Marathon champion and current defending champion of the men's professional race, the finish inside a full stadium at Folsom Field is like nothing else in the sport. This unique race format makes the finish thrilling for both spectators and the elite runners.
Past Champions of the BOLDERBoulder
The list of past champions of the BOLDERBoulder reads like a who's who of world and American running, not to mention those unfortunate enough to finish second or third (a list we won't share here). Past champions include:
Past Multi-Year Champions
Other American Champions
Home of the Largest Memorial Day Celebration in America
The grand finale of BOLDERBoulder - commencing just after the final pro athletes enter the stadium - is its Memorial Day Tribute, the largest Memorial Day celebration in America. It draws up to 70,000 spectators who pack Folsom field. This tribute event features a series of special ceremonies (listed below), honoring the sacrifices of servicemen and women.
USA Rosters for the Men's Teams
Team USA will field three men's teams in the upcoming race, Team USA Red, White and Blue. The Red roster comprises Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, and Leonard Korir, all top performers from the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Mantz is last year's defending champion and is coming off of a major win after finishing first at the 2024 Marathon Olympic Trials in February.
Team USA White includes Jared Ward, Futsum Zienasellassie, and Sam Chelanga, each bringing their own impressive marathon personal bests to the table. All of six runners on team USA's men's teams have a sub-2:10 marathon personal best. Together, both teams represent the current depth of Team USA's marathon talent.
USA Rosters for Women's Teams
On the women's side, Team USA Red boasts Emily Durgin, Nell Rojas, and Sara Hall. Hall, a standout athlete, set a U.S. masters record with a fifth-place finish at the Olympic Trials, clocking 2:26:06. She holds a career-best of 2:20:32 in the marathon, ranking her among the top five U.S. marathoners of all time. Emily Durgin has positioned herself as a race favorite for the women's professional race. She's the defending champion from last year, finished 9th at the US Marathon Olympic trials in a time of 2:27:56 and recently won her first USATF national title at the 10-mile championships on April 7th, 2024.
For Team USA White, an all-University of Colorado alum squad will compete, featuring Makena Morley, Sara Vaughn, and Carrie Verdon. Each brings a unique blend of experience and talent to the team, representing the rich legacy of the University's running program.
Tuning up for the Paris Olympic Games Marathon
Photo Credit: John Elliott
USA Olympic Trials Champions will make up Team USA Red at the 2024 BOLDERBoulder
Team USA's men's red team sees the BOLDERBoulder race as an opportunity to get race-ready for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games Marathon. Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, both already named to the Paris Olympic team, aim to leverage this event to optimize their performance for the prestigious marathon event. Leonard Korir, expected to be officially named to the Olympic team this month, also sees this race as crucial preparation.
Mantz, the defending BOLDERBoulder champion, looks to defend his title after his remarkable come-from-behind victory last year, while Young and Korir, having placed 11th and 8th respectively in the previous year's race, aim to improve their performances
Will Leonard Korir Get to Represent the US in Paris?
Leonard Korir, has a strong track record at the BB10K, winning in 2022 and narrowly missing first place by less than a second in 2017. Currently ranked #84 on the Olympic marathon list, his Paris Olympics spot hinges on four athletes withdrawing. Initially expected to qualify through his ranking or another American athlete, recent announcements from World Athletics complicate matters.
With the addition of 11 marathoners through universality spots, the field now consists of 70 qualifiers and 11 universality athletes, leaving no room for ranking-based entries. Korir awaits official confirmation from USATF and World Athletics about his Paris Olympic prospects. The best thing Korir can do is continue to prepare for Paris as if he's racing in August. If he's added to the final field of 80 athletes, he'll be race ready.
How to Watch the Race
The women's race starts at 11:15 AM MT, followed by the men's race at 11:26 AM MT. In the Denver area you can watch live coverage of the race and Memorial Day service from 11:00AM MT to 12:30PM MT on Denver 7. You can also see clips of race as well as past BolderBoulders on the BOLDERBoulder YouTube Channel.
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