BOULDER, Colo. — The BOLDERBoulder is one of the largest 10K races in the country, but the long-running annual tradition also pays tribute to the men and women who have served our country during peace and war.
“Race founder Steve Bosley has always said that Memorial Day is his favorite holiday because of what it stands for, to honor the 1.35 million Americans who have died defending Americans' freedom, “said BOLDERBoulder Race Director Cliff Bosley. “Paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice is a huge honor for the race.”
This year's Memorial Day Tribute will be honoring three Gold Star Families whose loved ones died in defense of our country. The three families are the Anderson family from Longmont, the Falkel Family from Highlands Ranch and the Wycoff family from Westminster.
Christopher “Doc” Anderson was a Navy corpsman deployed with the 1/6 Marines in Ramadi Iraq. While on patrol, Anderson's unit was attacked. The platoon sergeant, Greg Edwards, was severely injured and Anderson's medical training was tested under fire. Two months after saving Sgt. Edwards’ life, Anderson was killed in action on Dec. 4, 2006.
Debbie, Rick and Kyle Anderson carry on their son’s mission by serving others. On Dec. 4, they host an annual toy drive. The Longmont Police Department distributes all donations received.
Ever since he was 7 years old, Chris Falkel wished to follow in his father Jeff Falkel’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces soldier. Deployed in Afghanistan in 2004, Chris Falkel lost his life in 54 hours of combat against the Taliban, where his heroic actions saved his entire team.
Jeff Falkel honors his son’s sacrifice by taking his son’s idea to make pens out of shell casings, called Junior’s Bullet Pens. He contributed well over half a million dollars in cash and product to special operations military charities.
Erica Wyckoff’s husband, Charlie Wyckoff, always had a dream to fly helicopters and decided to pursue this dream in the Army. He enlisted in the 82nd Airborne Infantry as a paratrooper and was first deployed in Afghanistan in 2007. While in battle with his platoon, Charlie Wyckoff sacrificed himself to save his team. Charlie Wyckoff was awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross presented to Erika Wyckoff by President George W. Bush.
“All the families involved in this year’s tribute are a huge inspiration,” said Stephanie Winslow-Sell, BolderBoulder Memorial Day coordinator. “They have experienced unfathomable tragedy and instead of letting that define them, they have accomplished amazing things in their loved-one’s memory.”
In addition to honoring these families, the Memorial Day Tribute includes Stuart Boone World War II Bugler, who will play the National Anthem on a coronet.
Major Theodore P. Sager will be delivering the oath of enlistment inducting 150 service members as one of the largest enlistment ceremonies in the state of Colorado.
The colors will be presented by the 4th Infantry Division Color Guard from Fort Carson. Colorado Air National Guard will be conducting the fly-over. The Mile-Hi Sky Diving Team will perform their traditional exhibition. Finally, after TAPS, a 21-gun salute will be executed by the 4th Infantry Division of Ft. Carson.
A special Memorial Day “back bib” was made available to any participant who would like to run the race in honor of a family member or friend who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. The honorary back bibs are available at any BolderBoulder in-person registration.
The BolderBoulder is the third-largest running race in the US and the seventh largest in the world, according to a release. The race attracts more than 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers and wheelchair racers, and draws professional athletes from around the world.
The 2019 race winds through Boulder neighborhoods with live music and entertainment at every corner. The race finishes at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field and attracts over 100,000 runners and spectators.
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