Bolder Boulder considers expanding race capacity
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Runners celebrate as they cross the finish line Monday at the 46th annual Bolder Boulder at Folsom Field. Photo: Matthew Jonas/Daily Camera
The Bolder Boulder planners are evaluating the capacity of the race after this year's event drew its fourth highest turnout.
Why it matters: Organizers are trying to balance rising interest with safety, staffing and the traditions that give the Memorial Day race its block party feel.
Driving the news: The final tally of entrants topped out at 53,801, the Bolder Boulder's largest turnout since a record 54,554 entered in 2011.
- The second and third highest turnout years were 2008 (54,040) and 2010 (53,992).
- This year, organizers closed registration the Friday before the race as it neared capacity.
Between the lines: Race director Cliff Bosley said running is increasing in popularity and event registrations are up nationwide.
- With more demand, the Bolder Boulder is evaluating whether increasing capacity can happen without compromising safety or the atmosphere that make the race a favorite among both residents and visitors, Bosley said.
How it works: The Bolder Boulder's "wave" start was created in the 1980s when the race got too big for a mass start.
- To handle this year's participation, the first wave took off 5 minutes earlier and the start area was lengthened.
- Bosley said his father, Steve, who cofounded the race, still handles the start logistics.
- "Every year he works to fine-tune and perfect the launch of the race, looking at data from the prior races," Bosley said.
- "We will again assess this year's race as soon as our results are complete to see how, with this year's increased participation, we can improve what we do to better manage the experience."
Friction point: One constraint the Bolder Boulder faces is its time frame.
- It's tradition for citizen racers to finish at Folsom Field and watch the conclusion of the pro race and Memorial Day tributes at noon.
- Unlike other races that could just wait for runners to finish, the Bolder Boulder would need to keep moving up its start time.
- More runners also means more staffing, security and traffic.
What we're watching: Time and staffing constraints mean a big jump in capacity is likely not in the cards.
- But with the 50th running of the Bolder Boulder coming up and its popularity showing no signs of slowing, Bosley is leaving room open for letting in more runners.
- "We're anticipating increased interest in the race, so we are specifically studying the dynamics as well as the constraints to best serve our participants," Bosley said.