Colorado running event Boulderthon, has announced a change to the race course set for October 8, 2023. Runners will now start and finish off the Pearl Street Mall in the heart of downtown Boulder, seen as a milestone for a marathon race series in Boulder.
A release from the event noted that… ‘This downtown start and finish allows Boulderthon to welcome more runners, spotlight the small businesses that bring Boulder to life and offer a sense of place to participants as they celebrate their accomplishments. Registration for Boulderthon remains open, though it is expected to sell out again this year.’
Having nearly tripled in size last year to claim to be the largest autumn/fall race in Colorado, organizers originally set a cap of 5,000 runners for 2023. With 2023 registrations coming in much faster than anticipated and up over 100%+ year over year, the Boulderthon team revamped the course to accommodate the growth, laying out the new course.
The new route will enable Boulderthon to continue to grow while aiming to preserve its ‘boutique feel’. With its new course debut, the 2023 Boulderthon has doubled its participant cap to 8,000, up from 4,000 in 2022.
“As we sought to differentiate Boulderthon and ensure a unique experience for our runners, it became clear that having downtown Boulder as a home base on race day would offer so many benefits,” said Phil Dumontet, founder and President of Boulderthon.
“This not only makes Boulderthon the only local marathon with a downtown start and finish but also increases convenience for runners and spectators. Not to mention, it brings our vibrant downtown economy into focus for visitors and locals alike.”
Key additions to the new route include the Boulder County communities of Niwot and Gunbarrel. Participants will pass through different landscapes set at the foothills of the Flatirons, with views of the Boulder Reservoir, Table Mountain, and Haystack Mountain along their way. The course features a similar elevation change to previous years.
