In this edition of Get to Know Your Running Clubs we chatted with Bill Buffum (President, Running coach, and Running activist) about The Boulder Road Runners, Inc. 

Want to learn more about them? Read on!

What part of the city does your group usually run in/around? 

The Boulder Road Runners are centered in Boulder, Colorado, but run throughout Boulder County.

Tell us a bit about your club history, how long has the club been around?

Boulder Road Runners was founded in 1979 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization aimed at promoting the health of the community and running as a health promoting activity throughout the life cycle. It's founding coincided with the start of the renowned BolderBoulder 10K and the Road Runner provided the volunteer support for this race. That relationship continues to the present. The Boulder Road Runners is known as the community service running club and is an umbrella organization among other area running clubs.

Tell us a bit about your membership? What level of runners do you cater to?

The Boulder Road Runners presently enjoys a growing membership and claims 250 plus members. The focus in the club is on supporting running and health in the community, but it does have nationally recognized masters running teams. Presently, the club's 60+ men's team is ranked #1 in the nation. The club's emphasis in on running excellence throughout the life cycle.

Where/when does your club usually meet/run?

The club has several standing events.

• Each Sunday, the club holds a free Social Run from the offices of BolderBoulder and members and guests will run easy for five to 15 miles.
• Every First Monday, the club meets for a social and business event at Avery Brewing, where club member Larry Avery provides the venue and free Avery beer.
• Training and maintenance groups run every Tuesday and Thursday from Colorado Athletic Center.
• Saturday runs are usually at the Boulder Reservoir or the Eagle Trail just north of Boulder.

Any cost to be a member/join?

Annual membership is $35 for an individual and $50 for a family of any size. Multiyear memberships are available.

Is your group affiliated with any events?

The club's own races are:

• BRR Turkey Trot in November, a 10K spring couples run
• Winter Solstice 15k in December

In addition, the club delivers a summer all comers track and field series during June, July, and August at the University of Colorado's Potts Field.

The club supports:

• Avery Four on the Fourth 4k
• Pearl Street Mile
• West End 4K
• Boulder Backroads Marathon
• Boulder Peaks Tri
• ColderBoulder
• several University of Colorado cross-country and track/field events.

Any cool routes/ favourite areas to run in your city that you would like to recommend to other runners? Why do you like those?

The Boulder community is crossed by miles and miles of running paths and trails. Some of these are fairly level and others are at elevation. A particularly popular place to meet-up is Tom Watson Park at the Boulder Reservoir just north of the city. The Boulder Creek Path that goes west up the Boulder Canyon give great hill training and endurance building.

Do you have any favourite local races? Outside of anything that you’re affiliated with of course :)

Boulder Road Runners is affiliated with almost all local races. By far the largest race is the BolderBoulder 10K that draws over 50,000 participants. Next year, the club is assisting with the start of a new 10K race in Ft. Collins, the Fortitude 10K. Increasingly popular are local trail races and ultras in the mountains.

Anything else that we should know?

Many of the members of the Boulder Road Runners are also members of other local running or coaching clubs, notably Revolution Runners and the Boulder Track Club. Boulder Road Runners may best be viewed as an umbrella club that draws together area runners to support the running community and the community's health in general. The club also is an advocate for enhancing the running community and for 2017 will focus on building a public track for use by local runners and clubs.

Want to learn more?

Want to connect with the Boulder Road Runners, or just learn a bit more about them? Check out their information below:

Website | Facebook

Find more runs around Denver

Looking for runs in and around Denver? The RunGuides Denver race calendar can help you find upcoming runs and running races in the area www.runguides.com/denver/runs