By Rich Castro
The histories of the Boulder Road Runners (BRR) and the BOLDERBoulder have always been linked. In fact, they became official entities in the same year – 1979. The group that formed the core of BRR was already active within the Boulder running community before deciding to become an established club. We’d been meeting on Sundays for group runs since 1978, and we assisted with local races that preceded the BOLDERBoulder.
After we became the official BRR, with tax exempt, non-profit status, we decided we’d support one major event each year. In 1979, we were busy with a race other than the inaugural BOLDERBoulder. However, from the race’s second year on, 1980, we were intensely involved.
And so it began
For the first BOLDERBoulder in 1979, I was an invited runner. The race was set for Sunday afternoon May 26th at 2:00pm (not the Memorial Day morning race we all know). After rushing back from an event in Sterling that day, I made a quick change into my racing gear and jogged over to the start at The Bank of Boulder – 30th St. & Iris.
It was a hot, dry, and breezy day. The course had many turns and uphill stretches, and then terminated at North Boulder Park. The finish line logistics turned out to be a disaster. Afterwards, I was critical of how the finish had been handled. The BOLDERBoulder quickly asked if I thought I could do better. Of course I said, “Yes!”.
And that’s how it all began. From that moment on, BRR was committed to being involved in the second edition of the BOLDERBoulder. How remarkable that the Club still helps produce this marquee running event to this day.
BOLDERBolder 1979: Rich Castro, in yellow, warms up his legs and finds focus at the start line.
BRR gets involved
The second BOLDERBoulder in 1980 has two unique features: First, it finished at Recht Field on the Boulder High School campus. Second, it was longer than a 10k. Initially, Tim Cronin and I had measured the course correctly. Then, unfortunately, the City of Boulder Utility Department began a last minute project which forced us to alter the course. Rushed and under pressure, we didn’t account for the additional distance when adjusting the final route. While racing, as I neared the finish line, it was obvious that the course was long. This marked the last time I ever tried to run the race seriously and simultaneously help manage the whole event!
BRR’s job for this second BOLDERBoulder was to coordinate course logistics. This required us to marshal the course, set up aid stations, and work with the Police Department. Two BRR members, Joy Rochester and Joe Racosky, did the bulk of the work. They rode up and down the course making certain that “mile captains” were in the correct locations, the signage and barricades all in place, etc.
Having a mile captain in charge of each mile worked so well that the procedure is still employed to this day. Also, the finish line was much more efficient than the first year, and its success led to the stadium finish we all know today. All in all, the second BOLDERBoulder was considered a smashing success!
BRR’s connection to the elites
There’s another area – largely unrecognized – where the BRR members have had a huge impact on the BOLDERBoulder. It was the care, feeding, and housing of the international elite runners. Before there was a central hotel for these visiting athletes, BRR members volunteered to house the elite field – for much of the ‘70s, ‘80s and early ‘90s.
BRR has continued to be involved with elite athletes who come and go from Boulder. After training here or racing the BOLDERBoulder, several athletes made their home in Boulder. The biggest influx came just prior to the ’84 Olympics in Los Angeles, with Rob de Castella, Ingrid Kristiansen, Wendy Sly, and Priscilla Welch using Boulder as their pre-Olympics training grounds.
Rich Castro celebrates in Folsom Field with elite runners Jacqueline Gareau of Canada, left, and USA runner Ellen Hart, right, after the 1981 BOLDERBoulder. Hart won and Gareau was second that year.
After her infamous win at the 1980 Boston Marathon, Jacqueline Gareau made her way to Boulder and ran in the BOLDERBoulder. She was housed by BRR members Bob & Jan Hughes, and instantly became a BRR favorite when she became the “Queen of the Boulder Road Runners Beer Relays”, riding on the back of a flatbed truck and waving to the crowd.
Many BRR members formed lasting friendships with the various visiting athletes. In fact, many are still in touch as lifelong friends!