Monday mornings in Boulder have a different kind of energy. The sun rises over the Flatirons, runners hit the trails before work, and the entire city seems fueled by movement, possibility, and fresh mountain air. Few events capture that spirit better than the legendary BOLDERBoulder.

Every Memorial Day weekend in Boulder, tens of thousands of runners, joggers, walkers, and first-time participants flood the streets for one of the most iconic running events in the country. What began in 1979 with approximately 2,700 participants has grown into one of the largest timed 10Ks in the world. Over the decades, nearly 1.5 million people have crossed the finish line, making the BOLDERBoulder much more than a race. It has become part of Boulder’s identity.

What makes the event so unique is that it welcomes everyone.

Elite runners line up alongside families, walkers, weekend warriors, students, and visitors from all over the country. You do not need to be a world-class athlete to belong at the BOLDERBoulder. Every pace has a place.

The race also helped revolutionize modern road racing through its famous wave start system, first introduced in 1983. Instead of everyone crowding the start line at once, participants are divided into waves based on estimated pace times. Your bib number determines when you begin, creating a smoother and more enjoyable experience for runners of every ability level.

That system became so successful that races around the world later adopted similar formats.

Of course, the BOLDERBoulder is about far more than logistics and finish times. The energy along the course is what people remember forever.

The race winds through some of Boulder’s most beautiful neighborhoods, with views of the Flatirons appearing throughout the course. Spectators line the streets cheering nonstop while live bands, DJs, costumes, and neighborhood celebrations transform the city into one giant moving festival. Some runners dress in outrageous outfits while others stop to dance along the way. The atmosphere feels less like a traditional race and more like a celebration of community spirit.

That is the magic of Boulder.

This city has always embraced the outdoors, healthy living, and the idea that movement can bring people together. Whether someone is hiking at Chautauqua Park, climbing in Eldorado Canyon State Park, biking Boulder Canyon, or simply walking along Boulder Creek, there is a shared understanding that getting outside changes people for the better.

The BOLDERBoulder brings all of that energy together into one unforgettable morning.

Then comes the moment every participant talks about.

After miles of cheering crowds and adrenaline, runners enter Folsom Field at the University of Colorado Boulder. Thousands of spectators fill the stadium as participants make their final lap around the track. Hearing the crowd roar while crossing the finish line inside the stadium is something most people never forget.

For many runners, it becomes emotional.

Some are celebrating personal victories. Others are overcoming injuries, loss, fear, or difficult chapters in life. Some are simply proving to themselves that they could do something they once thought was impossible.

That is why the race’s famous motto still resonates after all these years:

“Oh Yes You Can!”

The event also carries a deeper meaning beyond fitness and competition. Following the race, Folsom Field hosts one of the nation’s most powerful Memorial Day tributes honoring the men and women who served our country. The ceremony traditionally includes military recognitions, skydivers, patriotic performances, and a moving moment of remembrance that brings the entire stadium together.

It is one of the reasons the BOLDERBoulder stands apart from nearly every other race in America. The event combines celebration, gratitude, community, and inspiration all in one day.

That same spirit can inspire all of us long after race day ends.

Maybe your challenge this week is physical. Maybe it is emotional. Maybe it is finally taking the first step toward a goal you have been putting off for years. Boulder has always been a place that encourages people to push themselves, take chances, and grow stronger through the journey.

The trails are waiting. Your next challenge is waiting.

So this Motivational Monday, take the first step. Lace up your shoes. Go for the walk. Take the harder trail. Sign up for the race. Start the new chapter. Whatever being “bolder” means to you right now, embrace it.

The Flatirons are watching. The community is cheering. And just like on race day, the reward for pushing yourself is greater than you imagined.

Oh yes you can.

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