A guy with the Colorado state flag on his shirt runs by during the annual Bolder Boulder 10K race. The Flatirons and the mountains look on. ©Laurel Kallenbach
Nobody sleeps late on Memorial Day in Boulder, Colorado. At least it seems that way.
Starting at 7:00 a.m., the annual Bolder Boulder 10K road race begins. At that time, 100,000 rubber-clad feet will start pounding the roads of my hometown, sprinting or walking through sleepy neighborhoods and business centers to their destination: the University of Colorado’s Folsom Stadium.
I live just blocks from the road-race route, so it’s an annual tradition for me to walk down and watch my husband and neighbors zip past during this annual exercise fest. (If you haven’t heard, Boulder is one of the fittest towns in the country.)
My husband’s smile as he zooms by says it all: the Bolder Boulder is fun!©Laurel Kallenbach
The streets are noisy: Helicoptors hover overhead with journalists filming the run. Race volunteers ring cowbells or shout instructions to the masses of runners through bullhorns: “Water to the right; Gatorade to the left.” Bands play Irish jigs or bluegrass or soft rock; houses filled with party-ers who are already drinking beer blast heavy metal. Spectators clap and shout, “Go, go, go!” and “Keep up the pace!” and “You can do it!” Dogs bark with excitement; little kids squeal.
Water and Gatorade are available just ahead. ©Laurel Kallenbach
And so, Memorial Day starts off with a bang—and the holiday has just begun!
—Laurel Kallenbach, freelance writer and editor
Read more about the Bolder Boulder road race: When Summer Begins, Boulder Runs
This woman carried the flag throughout the Bolder Boulder race. ©Laurel Kallenbach
