Bolder Boulder ’09 – Twitter, Tech, and Bacon
Photo by Brian Scaglia, www.scaglia.org
Beer, bands, belly dancers, bagpipes, and yes, even bacon (at a presumably “unofficial” aid station) were all featured in the 2009 Bolder Boulder. These are among the things we expect in Boulder on Memorial Day. One element that Bolder Boulder is known for is the “unexpected”, generally in the form of costumes and antics of runners and supporters alike. Another element that changes from year to year is the role technology plays in the race.
Of course there’s the component most obvious to the runners, the RFID shoe tag. The race has stumbled in this area in the past, but this technology for timing runners seems to be getting more reliable. Results were available immediately after the race (and as of this posting, still are) here. Runners are provided with several pieces of data, including overall time, mile splits, and average pace, in addition to place in division and overall. Verizon also jumped in the fray, offering race results via text message. Text bib to Verizon at 66196.
Television coverage of a mass amateur running race is what it is. Although I didn’t watch, channel 7 was to have live cut-ins within its newscasts all morning, with cameras at the start and finish lines. Streaming video via Internet is getting easier, and the race featured live feeds from about 3 points on the course. While it was a reasonable attempt, the live Internet coverage was only fair. The cycling world has really taken some good strides in presenting live coverage via Internet, as demonstrated in this year’s Tour of California, and even the recent collegiate nationals in Fort Collins. Certainly Bolder Boulder will catch on.
Twitter users were actually a group that provided some real time feedback. Using the hashtags #bolderboulder and #bb09, runners ‘tweeted’ (I hate that word) their experiences, from the crowd, to rice and adzuki bean chips provided in the lunch. Several runners made use of Twitpic to publish their photos, including the popular bacon station. Curiously, the race’s Twitter account, @BolderBOULDER09, posted only 1 tweet (I still hate that word) after their announcement, “6 days to go”.
With all the tech in the background, my sincere props to those who just laced up their shoes, went out, took in the Boulder air, and raced their hearts out, regardless of technology. No iPhones, iPods, i-anything – just the real run that is the core of Bolder Boulder… plus the bacon!
Colorado St. Patrick’s Day Run – Green Through The Frost!
Need a break from the Winter gloom? This year it hasn’t been the snow as much as the wind that tries to take the fun out of training. Fortunately it’s time for our annual break in the gloom with a tip of the Irish derby to St. Patrick, patron saint of Springtime athletics. Although none are actually on St. Patrick’s day, some good options for a Colorado St. Patrick’s Day run include:
- Colorado Springs 5K On St. Patrick’s Day 3/14 – This is the 26th running of this classic St. Patrick’s Day run, and the first of the Colorado Springs Grand Prix of Running. A fast, simple course down Tejon St. They know how to put on a good race!
- Ft. Collins Sharin’ O’ The Green 3/14 – Another nice 5K in downtown. Partners Mentoring Youth has done a great job of developing this increasingly popular run. Weather should be great this year!
- Brush Annual St. Patrick’s 5K 3/14 – It’s always a great day in Brush! A good draw for our active friends on the plains.
- Denver Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7k/2M Walk 3/15 – At a full 7K, this is the longest of Colorado’s St. Patrick’s Day runs. A fun LODO event and good fundraiser for Volunteers of America.
- Highlands Ranch St. Patrick’s Day 5K 3/21 – While the holiday may have passed, this run helps keep the spirit going.
I know what you’re thinking… “What? A holiday with no Wash Park run?” Blashemy! If you know of one, let us know.
Although weather is unpredictable this time of year, at this point it looks like a couple of great weekends to get out in a balmy 50 degrees or so, get in a good early season race, and help make sure the green shows through the frost. Don’t forget a nip o’ the Irish whiskey or green beer (or your favorite green sports drink) to cap off your celebration.
Sweat With Your Sweetheart In Colorado Running Races
Valentine’s Twosome Relay – Pueblo, Colorado
This is a two person relay race. Costumes are encouraged. Each runner runs one lap, about 1.6 miles, around City Park carrying a baton. The race was designed for teams of one male, one female. We will allow two female teams. There will also be chocolate for the top three in each age division, and the team with the Biggest, Most Romantic, Most Creative, and Ugliest batons.
Valentines Day 5K – Durango, Colorado
5K along the scenic Animas River Trail. An out and back course.
Sweetheart Classic 4 Mile and Couples Race – Loveland, Colorado
Yep, Loveland. The mother of all sweetheart cities. With a hot air balloon rally, this one can’t be beat. Couples are to be male-female in relationship which offers lots of options: Father-daughter, dating couples, engaged couples, married… a true sweetheart’s event. Great door prizes too. Kiddos can race afterward for free. You can find contact info and forwarding links on the running calendar at Racing Colorado.
Those in the Colorado Springs region might join up with Pike’s Peak Road Runners for their 5M/10M Winter Series run. More info on their site.
Forty Furlongs – Westminster, Colorado
Forty what, you say? You know, a furlong. The length of a furrow (no spoiler here!). This Colorado Mater’s Runners Assn. race is held at Roadrunner sports giving you a chance to run and check out new gear to boot! Details on the calendar here.
Valentines Day 5k – Denver, Colorado
You didn’t think Washington park would escape a holiday without a run, did you? Keep in mind, this one’s actually on the morning of the 15th – perfect for those celebrating the holiday all through the night. And all in the name of prostate health.
50K Classic – Crested Butte, Colorado
Celebrate your love on XC skis! This informal race is free, but does require a trail pass. Ahh, love in the mountains…
Check in regularly to Racing Colorado event calendar for race info, registration forms, and links directly to your favorite event sites.
Fort Collins – Resolution Run Review
The 24th Annual Resolution Run was held December 31, 2008 in Fort Collins on the CSU Campus. The building where the registration/packet pick-up was held was small and there was some confusion with people trying to register, gather the packet, access the restrooms, and stay warm in such a tiny area of a building. They ran out of shirts (even for those pre-registered) during packet pick-up but I did hear a volunteer say that they had more people pre-register this year than they had run total last year. However, they did ask everyone who didn’t receive a shirt to write down their name, shirt size, and email address and they said we would be contacted (as of yet I haven’t heard anything).
The course was around the campus and there were plenty of volunteers marking the way and encouraging the participants! They allowed dogs in the race which to me was the best part about it because I wanted to end 2008 running with my dog and my husband and this race allowed me to do so!
Boulder’s Best XC Race on the Planet Now The Fast And Flurry-ous 4 Miler
A new name for a great race, possibly still the “best”. Held in Boulder’s Harlow Platts Park, this true cross country running race is a chance for those not in high school or college to get to race on the open terrain. It’s the kind of race where snow cover makes it even better. This has historically been an extremely well-produced race, and was the site of the ’07 XC Nationals. Men and women will run separately, giving the women a chance to race in a segregated field and providing men the guarantee that they won’t be beaten by a girl… While the race is a good family event, there’s money in it for the fast one’s. Even if you’re not in the mood to race, this one will be fun for spectators too. So circle Jan 24th on your calendar and check out more race details at RacingColorado.com.
Upcoming Colorado Events- Double 5K
- Denver Promise Walk and 5K Run for Preeclampsia
- Kilometers for C.O.P.S.
- Dash and Dine 5k Series #6
- Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon
- Airlife Memorial 10K/5K Run and 5K Walk
- Excel-erator 5k
- Superior Morgul - Morgul Bismark Bike Race
- The Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay
- 15th Annual AirLife Memorial Run/Walk and EMS Celebration
- The Colfax 5K
- Bradford`s DEAR 5K
- Hope Lives
- Mike the Headless Chicken 5k
- Larkspur 5K Challenge and 1K Fun Run
Oakley Offer