Monday morning, tens of thousands of people will step up to the start line for one local Memorial Day tradition.
The 40th running of the Bolder Boulder kicks off just before 7 a.m. Organizers expect about 50,000 runners to participate, and more than 100,000 spectators to cheer them along.
“It’s going to be an awesome day,” said race director Cliff Bosley.
Cliff Bosley has years of experience with the Bolder Boulder. This is his 20th year as Race Director, but he’s participated in every single race.
“I got to be involved in the first race when I was 12 in 1979,” he said. “I got to run that race and work with the event a little bit. So… the race is what I grew up around!”
Bosley’s father, Steve Bosley, founded the race in 1979 with his friend and Olympian, Frank Shorter. The very first year, Cliff Bosley said about 2,700 runners ended the race at North Boulder Park. But the event soon outgrew the space.
Two years after the Bolder Boulder started, officials at the University of Colorado Boulder offered a bigger venue: Folsom Field on the campus of CU Boulder.
“In 1981, the race finish line was moved here [Folsom Field] and we had about 8,700 that ran the race in the third year,” Cliff Bosley said. “And about 10,000 [runners] in the fourth year. And the home of the finish line has been here at Folsom Field ever since.”
Even though Cliff Bosley is in charge of the race today, his father is still involved.
“He’s the official starter,” Cliff Bosley explained. “He’ll fire the starting pistol 97 times tomorrow for each of the 97 waves.”
The first wave of runners leaves at 6:55 a.m. The last wave starts around 9:30 a.m. Race organizers said the race will continue, rain or shine.
Bolder Boulder also includes a Memorial Day tribute, including the Presentation of Colors, a 21-Gun Salute, and playing of "Taps" - as well as a flyover with military skydivers.
Some storms are expected Monday. Race organizers said weather could force them to cancel the flyover and skydiving, but that decision won’t be made until closer to the tribute Monday afternoon.
