Around the world, there are hundreds and thousands of ideal and idyllic locations to go running. Rolling hills, mountains, dangerous peaks and deserts provide backdrops for fitness on two feet, whatever distance or altitude you are looking to conquer. However, right by Denver, Colorado, a small city at the feet of the Rocky Mountains named Boulder is beginning to build a reputation as the ultimate place to go for running and training.
Boulder has always had an urban, outdoorsy vibe and mixed in with a vibrant downtown area with buzzing bars and restaurants, it has made for a good holiday destination for nature-lovers. But over the past couple of years, Boulder has been recognized by elite level runners, and cyclists too, as the optimal place to get into the best shape possible.
What makes Boulder so great for running?
Quite simply, the natural landscape. Based at the foothills of the mountains in North Colorado, the natural topography caters for all running disciplines, whether you prefer trail running, road running, or high-altitude tests. The ability to reach high altitudes is a primary reason why top-level cyclists are drawn to Boulder for their training.
Boulder has a long-standing reputation for providing the best athletes with the perfect base to reach their highest levels. Ever since Frank Shorter won a gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Olympic Games, after training at Boulder ahead of the Games, many more athletes have followed his example. You might well be reading about another gold medal winning athlete featuring on betting markets for the Olympics in Paris this summer, that also went down the Boulder route.
Test yourself against the best
As a result of the influx of athletes, Boulder has developed a healthy running culture over time, which is also represented by the number of races organized around the year. The Bolder Boulder 10K has earned the reputation as one of the best road races in the world. Around 45,000 runners participated in the 2023 edition, which finishes in the University of Colorado football stadium. Thousands of fans line the point-to-point route with the fans in the stadium dragging the runners through the final meters.
This year, the iconic race was blessed by the presence of Paris Olympian, Conner Mantz, who will be running the marathon for the US on 10th August. The 27-year-old took victory in a time of 00:29:13. Mantz managed to hold off Yemane Haileselassie in a thrilling sprint finish, overtaking the Eritrean in the final couple of hundred meters after Haileselassie had bolted too early for the finish line. Mantz, who lauded the atmosphere in the stadium finish as “electric”, will hope to take that form into Paris, where he will hope to become the next athlete to win gold with a Boulder boost.