Colorado's Colfax Marathon and Bolder Boulder Races Signal Resurgence in Running Participation

Running participation in the United States is experiencing a significant resurgence, as evidenced by the strong registration numbers for Colorado's two largest road races: the Colfax Marathon and the Bolder Boulder Memorial Day 10K. These events are expected to attract over 24,000 and 45,000 participants, respectively, indicating a robust recovery from the pandemic-related decline.

The Colfax Marathon, taking place this weekend in Denver, has surpassed last year's record of 21,000 participants, with over 24,000 runners registered. This increase has prompted organizers to redraw one of the courses to eliminate a bottleneck and accommodate more runners. "It's back, and in a lot of cases, it seems like a resurgence," said Andrea Dowdy, Executive Director of the Denver Colfax Marathon.

Similarly, the Bolder Boulder Memorial Day 10K is expected to draw around 45,000 participants, closely tracking with its 2019 numbers of 47,250. Cliff Bosley, Race Director of the Bolder Boulder, remarked, "We're prepared for upwards of 45,000." This year's event has added 13 more start waves to accommodate the larger field and is planning to pack over 45,000 snack bags.

The pandemic had a significant impact on running participation in the US, with many races experiencing declines in registration. However, the easing of restrictions and the return to normalcy have led to a resurgence in popularity. Nationally, large events like the Colfax Marathon and Bolder Boulder are seeing 10% to 15% growth, while smaller races are experiencing 7% to 9% increases.

The Colfax Marathon weekend features eight races, including a full marathon, half marathon, urban 10 miler, marathon relay, and 5K. The event, now in its 18th year, is the largest marathon weekend in the Rocky Mountains. To accommodate the increased demand, the full marathon and half marathon courses have been modified, and the event will include 33 entertainment acts along the course.

The Bolder Boulder, one of the largest 10K races in the country, continues to be a major draw for runners. With the expected 45,000 participants, this year's event aims to match its pre-pandemic numbers and provide a memorable experience for all involved.

Overall, the strong registration numbers for the Colfax Marathon and Bolder Boulder Memorial Day 10K races highlight a thriving running community in the US. The resurgence in running participation is not limited to Colorado, as large events across the country are experiencing similar growth trends. The London Marathon in April, for instance, broke its record for finishers with 53,000 participants, a 9,000 increase from the previous year.

As Andrea Dowdy succinctly put it, "A lot of major races across the country are just seeing so much interest in participation. Running has really come back strong since the pandemic."

Key Takeaways

• Colfax Marathon expects 24,000 participants, a 14% increase from last year.
• Bolder Boulder Memorial Day 10K expects 45,000 participants, near 2019 numbers.
• Nationally, large races see 10-15% growth, smaller races see 7-9% growth.
• Running participation in the US is experiencing a significant resurgence post-pandemic.
• Major races across the country, like the London Marathon, are breaking participation records.