The jubilant BolderBoulder 10K race returned to CU Boulder's Folsom Field—the longtime finish line—on May 30, 2022.
Part fun fest, part professional race and part Memorial Day tribute, the event included thousands of participants and onlookers. After exuberantly cheering on the professional racers as they entered the stadium for the final leg, the closing ceremony included a welcome message by CU Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano, an impressive jet flyover, veteran tributes, an enlistment ceremony for new service members, a tribute to Olympic medalist and BolderBoulder creator Frank Shorter and more.
"How did it happen that we had the great fortune of Frank Shorter choosing to make Boulder his home," asked Tim Cronin ceremony presenter. "Because of the University of Colorado. Frank was one of the first people to understand the benefits of altitude training, which made Boulder's higher-than-a-mile altitude of 5,318 very attractive. So he approached the university to request use of the athletic facilities, and CU gladly said yes."
Shorter won the BolderBoulder in 1981, the first year it finished at Folsom Field, "which means he became the first BolderBoulder runner to cross the Folsom Field finish line," continued Cronin. "Since that day, more than 1,400,000 have followed, including all of you today."
The citizen's race winners were Laura Thweatt, a CU Boulder alumna, according to BolderBoulder officials, and Jacob White.
Another highlight was the participation of two Ukranian professional runners, Valentyna Poltavska and Valentyna Veretska.
Watch a video of the race and the ceremony. Because of windy conditions in the area, the traditional parachute jump into the stadium was canceled.
Photos by Justin Hein and Ichigo Takikawa (CU Boulder).
