Bolder Boulder

     Nearly 50,000 people ran or walked the 40th annual Bolder Boulder yesterday.  It was well organized.  There were 100 different corral starts between 6:55 AM and 9:25 AM, so the route was cleared of walkers by the time the elite women ran at 11:15, with the elite men starting shortly thereafter. Both winners were from Ethiopia, the elite male winner's time was 28:18, the female winner's time was 32:37.

     Here are my running/carpool friends before the start:  John, me, Sid, Sabrina, and Karisah.

     Even though it doesn't compare with the elite running times, I was happy enough with my time of 1 hr, 20 min. for overall place 24,198, age div place 34/148,  gender place 10962/23714 so I am still a solid mid-packer.
     It is such an inspiring and entertaining event.  There are so many kids, families, bands, people of all ages and in amazing costumes. It has to be Boulder's biggest ever party!
     It is also America's largest Memorial Day ceremony with the Jet flyover, the skydivers, and remembrance services. The national anthem was trumpeted by a Veteran who is one of the Lucky Eleven survivors of the Battle of the Bulge. So amazing.  He plays every year from his wheelchair.
     As my corral awaited our starting gun the announcer said there was a 96 year old woman in our group with her family.  96!!!
     And then I saw this photo on the Bolder Boulder FB page of Bill Weber, who had also run the first Bolder Boulder 40 years ago!  So inspiring.

    I am borrowing the below picture from a friend.  This is what you see when you enter the stadium to finish the Bolder Boulder 10 K.  It is so exciting!