By Chris McDonald, Club President
Peaks dusted in September snow stir this runner’s visceral love of cross country and racing for Club and teammates. Training is well underway to defend our many hard-won Colorado 5K Cross Country State Championships and to again place teams on the podium at the National Club Cross Country Championships. Seventy members pulled on the Kit and raced for the Club last Fall, one of our proudest achievements last year. In the spirit of world 100-meter champion Sha’Carri Richardson: “We’re not back, we’re better!”
Speaking of achievements, our Club’s 2023 Summer was all-time. A few highlights and shoutouts for the people who made it happen:
Our remarkable team that annually produces the All-Comer Track Series delivered four enthusiastically attended events at a back-up venue, Fairview High School, while Colorado’s Potts Field is renovated. The team overcame many challenges and constraints to achieve the same level of participation on 2/3 the number of meets and without signature events like Javelin, Discus, High Jump, and Steeplechase. A truly incredible result by all.
Similarly, the Mile High Mile attracted strong participation from all ages and abilities, including what may be the best elite field ever assembled on Colorado Soil. Champions Kaela Edwards and Austin Dalquist delivered stirring wins for a raucous crowd that created a “wall of noise” cheering from lane 4.
Record sponsorship dollars for our events, and strong community participation, enabled us to provide a record $4,000 prize purse, and to give all of us the memorable opportunity to watch our local elites race on home soil before they headed to Europe or the National circuit. The Mile High Mile stands alone; there is no other event like it in the Rocky Mountains. Read more about the Mile High Mile.
Aspire OTQ, our new focus initiative of the year (selected based on member feedback), launched with great fanfare in June, raising over $10,000 to support under-sponsored athletes in our community seeking the Olympic Trials Qualifying standard and a chance to represent our community and Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Read more about Aspire OTQ.
The first six Aspire OTQ have been identified! Stay tuned for more news on the athletes in October, and the next steps to get them to the Olympic Trials in Orlando and Eugene.
The Club capped the Summer with a fantastic Club Picnic at Boulder Reservoir (link) and also the remarkable performances from two teams at the Hood to Coast Relay. Our Women’s Super Masters (50+) team won their division and finished a remarkable 7th place out of all 54 women’s teams. Vicki Hunter recapped the race.
Our Men’s Super Masters team also won their division and set the all-time course record in the process, averaging 6:20 / mile, just one second per mile faster than the record time that stood since 2001.
As we turn our attention to Fall Cross Country, the Club’s Board also begins the 2024 planning process. As with last year, any and all members are welcome to provide input and volunteer to work with one of our planning teams, including:
- Membership team including our annual member survey
- All-Comer Meets and Mile High Mile planning
- Aspire OTQ Committee
- Club Governance
- Socials and member appreciation events
Last but not least, in October we will host an informational meeting for members who might be interested in serving on the Club’s Board. Attend to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a board member. Serving our mission and membership is a great way to contribute to our Club’s legacy.
Drop me or Deb Conley a note for more information: president@boulderroadrunners.com or deborahconley19@gmail.com