2013 Bolder Boulder attracts less than 50,000 runners for 1st time since 2006 - organizers blame Boston Marathon bombing

LetsRun.com wrote:

What do you think?

I think you meant "fewer than 50,000," young man.

That's a shame.

Maybe they should drop the ridiculously high entry fee - $59 for the cheapest option? I went on the website to register and saw it was $59 for registration (with a tshirt) or $71 for a tech t-shirt and scoffed.

That is insane.

People complain about marathon entry fees when they're over $100.

Even though race entry fees don't necessarily follow a linear progression, $59 for a 10K --> $250 for a marathon. $71 -->$300.

I loved the race when I ran it, but can't justify spending that much when there are plenty other (and faster) 10Ks.

Euclid wrote:

Maybe they should drop the ridiculously high entry fee - $59 for the cheapest option? I went on the website to register and saw it was $59 for registration (with a tshirt) or $71 for a tech t-shirt and scoffed.

That is insane.

People complain about marathon entry fees when they're over $100.

Even though race entry fees don't necessarily follow a linear progression, $59 for a 10K --> $250 for a marathon. $71 -->$300.

I loved the race when I ran it, but can't justify spending that much when there are plenty other (and faster) 10Ks.

This is the correct answer. 60 bucks for a race without a shirt is insane.

BB turned has really run out of steam ... just an expensive freak show walkathon.

Yeah, about 25 years ago.

Seargent Joe Friday wrote:

BB turned has really run out of steam ... just an expensive freak show walkathon.

And it is not run for charity as many think it is.

LetsRun.com wrote:

Pretty interesting explanation. What do you think?

Possible, but I am skeptical.

I think it is more likely that a lag in the economy, or a general peak in participation rates or willingness to pay is responsible.

Another big race I'm familiar with filled up much later this year than last year. (early April this year, instead of mid-December for last year's race). Boston bombing was not a factor for this race.

Boston is an easy explanation, but I doubt it.

Terrible wording - you don't "blame" a bombing. Letsrun has a long way to go before it can pretend to real journalistic standards.

I have never run BB. I wonder though, what is the race experience like? What amenities does it offer? Some major races are able to charge more than others because it offers a great race course, fun after-party, great weekend all around, or is a travel-destination type of race.

I don't know what Boulder Boulder offers, but in the last 10 years or so, it seems like the number of races in the US has quintupled. Every weekend there is a road race that can be run. Some attract runners because of a low price (not BB); others because of swag (not BB); and then there's the chance to run with a world class elite field (sorta BB).

I cannot say whether the price, recent Boston Marathon bombing, or increase in the number of road races has had an impact on the registration demand for BB. That is for others far smarter than I. But at some point, this race, like any other, was destined to reach a peak registration demand and possibly some contraction. It is now up to organizers to figure out if there are any dislikes about the race among the participants, and work to fix those.

Blaming this strictly on the marathon bombing though is foolish. Particularly when the BAA's 10K sold out within a couple of hours and the half marathon will likely do the same.

if people seriously chose not to register/run because of Boston then those people are fools

Since the bombing in Boston, I've heard more people than ever say that they will run Boston next year as a way to show their support (for Boston/the country/against 'terrorism'/etc)...The opposite of shying away...

Another +1 for the price.

I've run the race since 1999. It is a good course, rolling hills and quite a few turns. The race is very well run. The post race expo has so many freebies that it makes the entry fee actually reasonable. For example, I got a very nice hat and visor, a lot of food and drinks, and the race bag comes with a lot of snacks plus a beer and a pepsi. Also, the cotton t-shirt that comes with the lowest entry is a really good one. It's grey instead of the standard white.

Here's the problem: the last wave goes at 9:30. It was quite hot yesterday. I finished at 7:45 and it was already over 70 degrees. If I had to start late, I may have said to hell with it. Plus, it's the slowest runners who go last, making it that much harder. I'm guessing a lot of those runners have had it with the late start time and just stayed home.

I've never run it, but have been in Boulder when it happens. The umpteen waves seem silly to me. You see people that are done with the race, while others are walking to the starting line.

too expensive wrote:

Another +1 for the price.

Maybe. But did the price go up this year?

I'd guess that maybe there's nothing special causing the drop other than the normal ebb and flow of interest. No race is going to have its field get bigger every year until the end of time. Entries will grow for a while and then max out, drop a bit, increase a bit and so on.

put me down with the price for a 10k out of my price point

voted with my dollars, spent it on alcohol instead

I think the BB used to be the kind of race that attracted droves of "Facebook Runners;" people who don't train or race regularly, but are attracted to well-known event to publicize their inclusion/"fitness"/lifestyle to friends and neighbors. However, now that we have all the Tough Mudder, Spartan, Color Runs, even CrossFit events, those types are being LED elsewhere.

The Boston event probably had a minimal effect.

The Peachtree Road Race 10K registers 60,000 by lottery. If past years are any guide, many who wanted to run didn't get in.

But the lottery was held just before the Boston bombing. On July 4th it will be interesting to see how many finishers there are compared to previous years.