By Club President Chris McDonald
On a bike ride the night before the Aspire OTQ launch, a good friend and former BRR member asked, “So is Boulder Road Runners still around?”
Indeed, my friend, indeed.
In fact, launching the Club’s newly formalized athlete support program, Aspire OTQ, at Shoes & Brews on June 22nd, I realized as much as we were launching Aspire OTQ, we were also re-launching Boulder Road Runners. The room was full of BRR members of all ages, many local running celebrities, and just good energy and excitement.
The community turned out for our Club that night:
- CU coaching legend Mark Wetmore
- Tinman Elite’s Head Coach Joan Hunter and her athletes including Joey Berriatua, Brian Barraza, Austin Miller
- Roots Running Coach Ryan Root
- Do-it-all star for Team Boulder, Carrie Verdon
- Sprinter and World Medalist Marybeth Sant-Price
- Boulder’s own Nell Rojas, and of course,
- Tokyo Olympian and one of our Aspire OTQ co-founders, Val Constien.
This is not to mention Shoes & Brews hosting a great event, and executives and staff alike from High Plains Bank, both important sponsors to the Club and Aspire OTQ.
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Boulder Road Runner President Chris McDonald introduces the program and importance of supporting under sponsored athletes at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Former CU runner and Masters World Record Holder Dan King speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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CU Head T&F and XC coach Mark Wetmore at the Aspire OTQ launch Party
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CU Head T&F and XC coach Mark Wetmore speaking to the past support from Boulder Road Runners and the importance of developing athletes in Boulder, CO
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Olympian Val Constien speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Joan Hunter of Tinman Elite speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Joey Barriatua of Tinman Elite speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Carrie Verdon speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Carrie Verdon speaks at the Aspire OTQ Launch Party
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Michelle from High Plains Bank
All photos courtesy of Dave Albo lane1photos.com. View more photos from the event on our FB page
BRR Pillars
Our community shows up for the Boulder Road Runners when we show up for them. What a great reminder of the essential role our Club plays in connecting many different groups, often seen together on the roads or at a track, but rarely in the same room. Our ability to bring people together in a running context is our superpower.
In the past two months alone, each of the four pillars of our Club have flexed their strength:
- Volunteerism – 35 BRR members helped produce the BolderBoulder, including course marker set-up and take down, aid stations, helping with the pro-race, couriers, etc.
- Community Events – our penchant for creating unique running experiences for our members and the community is in full bloom with strong attendance for our All-Comer Track meets and strong sponsorship and early registration for the Mile High Mile (July 29th)
- Club Racing Teams – our teams continue to represent us well locally and on the national stage, including many BolderBoulder age group champions, Roger Sayre’s recent M65 American Record, and all three teams we sent to the USATF Road Mile Championships making the podium – Gold for M50 and M70, and a bronze for the M60 team.
- Athlete Support – with the successful launch of Aspire OTQ, and over $10,000 in funds raised in just a few weeks, our top initiative for the year, as selected by our members, is off to a great start.
As always, I’m inspired when working among our volunteers to help produce our All-Comer track meets. Our members take great pride in our mission, our events, and racing in the BRR singlet. Simply put, we are present.
Looking Ahead
Member Recognition Event
Take the quick survey now and help us pick a date for our Annual Member Event. We’re looking at an outdoor picnic this year.
All-Comer Meets and the Mile High Mile
Our All-Comer track meets are on a roll! We had near-record-high attendance on June 15. We’ve got two more to go: July 6 and 20. Hats off to all the BRR volunteers who keep these legacy events running strong! The Mile High Mile is set for July 29 at Fairview High. We have strong sponsors and are starting to sign up athletes. The MHM is gaining popularity. You don’t want to miss – race or volunteer!
2023 USATF Colorado Long Distance Running Grand Prix
USATF Colorado will award Club Championships this year to the top men’s and women’s team across the five events that make up the 2023 Grand Prix. Our Club’s score for each event will consist of the top five finishers based on their age-graded place. Yes, members of our 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70+ teams all get to score on the same team to bring home another Club Championship.
The series begins July 8th with the State 5K Road Championships run as part of the Cookie Chase at Sloan’s Lake.