Participants of the 2021 BOLDERBoulder 10k scheduled Memorial Day Weekend will have the chance to choose between six locations this year, including one route in Douglas County.
Organizers of the well-known race recently announced they wouldn’t be able to host the event in Boulder this year due to “safety restrictions and our time line,” according to the website.
“Not wanting to lose its Memorial Day tradition, the BOLDERBoulder has created a unique Memorial Day Weekend experience called BOLDER On the Run 10K,” according to a news release from Douglas County and BOLDERBoulder.
Instead of the traditional event, participants can run or walk the 10k in one of six measured, marked and timed courses over Memorial Day Weekend. The races will take place May 29, 30 and 31 during two-hour slots from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., according to the release.
The Douglas County location for the race will be on the Greenland Open Space Trail south of Larkspur. The wide, dirt trail is in the foothills of Douglas County.
“Nature lovers will appreciate this trail with its out-and-back course and the magnificent backdrop of Pikes Peak, without the brutal elevation gain of other mountain trails,” according to the release.
Douglas County became a location for the race after a constituent reached out to commissioner Lora Thomas and told her the race wasn’t able to happen in Boulder and organizers were looking for new options.
“I said, ‘Give my number to the race organizers,’” she said. “Our favorite answer in Douglas County is ‘Of course yes, we will figure it out.’”
Over the next few days, county staff and organizers worked to find a location in the area that would be suitable for the race.
“I thought this was an opportunity for people to come experience Douglas County,” Thomas said. “It’s an opportunity for businesses to have the exposure from people outside of the area.”
Race organizers will also put together a package of coupon offers for local businesses, Thomas said.
“I have made it clear to BOLDERBoulder we want them back next year,” Thomas said. “That would be really cool for Douglas County if a COVID outcome is the BOLDERBoulder including Douglas County in future events.”
The BOLDERBoulder is the fourth largest running race in the United States and the seventh largest in the world. The race brings 48,000 to 52,000 runners, joggers, walkers, wheelchair racers and professional athletes from around the world, according to the release.
Other locations for the race include Erie, Loveland, Firestone, Broomfield and Littleton.