Organizers of the BOLDERBoulder announced that the 2020 race, which already had been postponed from its traditional Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, is cancelled due to an abundance of caution related to COVID-19, and it is rescheduled for Memorial Day, 2021.
While the health and safety of or participants, volunteers, and everyone directly and indirectly associated with the BOLDERBoulder is without any hesitation, paramount; this is the most difficult and disappointing decision we have ever had to make. We have been keeping closely attuned to all the latest information from local and state health officials, and having regular discussions with our partners – CU Boulder and the City of Boulder – as well as our sponsors. After consultation, we are all in agreement and we determined that bringing together tens of thousands of people could be a risk to the community. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and we will be back stronger and bolder than ever for the 42nd BOLDERBoulder on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021
Cliff Bosley, Race Director
Bosley said he has been working closely with the city and with CU Boulder, which last week announced its plans to reopen the campus in the fall. Those plans include limited gatherings.
Participants already registered will be offered several options and alternatives for the 2021 BOLDERBoulder and beyond.
The BOLDERBoulder, named “America’s All-Time Best 10K Race” by Runner’s World magazine, would have seen its 42nd running this year. It is the first time since its founding in 1979, that the race has been cancelled.
We recognize the race is not only an annual tradition for thousands of runners ranging from the casual to the elite, but also an important event for the Boulder community. We did not make this decision lightly. We considered all our options and implications and in the end knew there were no considerations more important, that health and safety were the prime imperatives.
Cliff Bosley
Bosley said the decision was delayed as long as possible to find a way to go forward.
Just as our participants have to train and prepare for some time leading up to race day, so do we. We’re open for business one day a year but our preparations and planning continue for another 360 or so days.
Cliff Bosley
The race’s traditional finish line is at Folsom Field on the CU Boulder campus, where more than 1.4 million participants have finished the race. CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano said, “We are as disappointed as anyone about the need to cancel this year’s BOLDERBoulder, since its finish at Folsom Field has been a signature event on our campus since 1981. But we believe this is the right decision given the public health concerns and risks regarding the COVID-19 virus. We value our long-term partnership with the BOLDERBoulder and look forward to being back stronger and bolder than ever next Memorial Day.”
The city is disappointed that this iconic event must be cancelled as it is always a time for our community to celebrate and to remember the long legacy of the race in Boulder. Certainly, this year has brought changes that remind us that our primary focus must always be on the health of the participants and the wider community audience. We look forward to a time when we can once again welcome the many racers from places far and near – to run together and run free.
Jane Brautigam, Boulder City Manager
Additionally, the FORTitude, which was to be combined and join the BOLDERBoulder on the BOLDERBoulder Course in the fall, will return to its normal format and venue in Fort Collins in 2021.
BOLDERBoulder and FORTitude will have their own 2021 races. Their continuing contributions to Boulder and Fort Collins and the sport of running is intact. The tens of thousands of racers, runners, joggers, and walkers in Colorado know America’s best 10k races are here for them.
Cliff Bosley