WHAT’S THE WAVE START?

It’s pretty simple actually. Instead of one big start with everyone taking off at once, we divide everyone into about 100 waves. They’re organized by people’s pace so that everyone can run with people their own speed. Waves start with the fastest runners, then go to slower runners, then joggers, then walkers.

Do all waves require qualifying? No!

The BOLDERBoulder is open to everyone. Only the first 29 waves require qualification — meaning people in those waves need to provide proof of their running pace. All other waves are open to everyone on a first-come, first-serve basis. Qualified Waves are only for people who have demonstrated the ability to finish faster than 75 minutes within one year of the upcoming BOLDERBoulder.

How do I pick what wave to be in?

When you register you pick the type of “Participant Type” you think you belong in. You’ll automatically be put in a wave that is right for you or based on your qualifying time. Learn more about the Wave Categories on the right.

Can I change waves once I register? YES!

Si deseas cambiar de ola o correr en una ola calificada, podemos hacerlo realidad, suponiendo que todavía haya dorsales disponibles en la ola que deseas. El costo es $10.   

Para solicitar un cambio de dorsal antes de la carrera, envíenos un correo electrónico a qtimes@bolderboulder.com – Nota: no podrás subir a una ola más rápida el día de la carrera a menos que tengas el número de dorsal correcto para esa ola. 

Para todos los cambios de dorsal el sábado o domingo, tráiganos su número de dorsal original y venga a nuestra carpa SOLUTIONS en la exhibición deportiva Race Weekend en Pearl Street Mall.  

We will also accommodate Race Day bib changes for $15 – bring your original bib number and come to our SOLUTIONS TENT at the START AREA in the parking lot near 30th and Walnut beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, may 26th

Can I start with friends or family? YES!

Podemos ayudarte a comenzar con tu familia o amigos; el resto del día depende de ti. Si quieres estar en la misma ola inicial, registra a todos en línea al mismo tiempo. Ingrese los nombres de aquellos con quienes desea correr en el campo correspondiente. Las reglas de clasificación aún se aplican y todos los miembros de tu grupo se ubicarán en la ola de la persona más lenta (es útil que todos elijan el mismo tipo de participante).

How do I enter a qualified wave? Four ways.

During registration, you will be asked to provide proof of qualification in a drop down selection.

  1. Use last year’s BOLDERBoulder time: Anything 1:15:00 or faster gets you in the perfect qualified wave for your pace. Check your results.
  2. Use last year’s ColderBOLDER 5K time: Anyone who finished faster than 37:30 minutes automatically gets in a qualified wave. Check your results.
  3. Use other races: Any timed race between three miles and a marathon completed within one year of the upcoming BOLDERBoulder can get you in a qualified wave. Check the Equivalent Times chart to get your wave based upon a variety of race distances. Check out our official BB10K Qualifier Calendar to find a race to get your qualifier in.
  4. Use a GPS-Tracked Time: Submit a link to or screenshot of a GPS recorded run 5 kilometers or longer, run after last year’s BOLDERBoulder, and email to qtimes@bolderboulder.com. We will let you know which wave you have qualified for. Runners wishing to be considered for the A wave (38:00 or faster) can submit a link results from a race that is 5K or longer since may, 2024. GPS time for qualification are not accepted for the A wave.

QUESTIONS or to submit a qualifying time after you register send us an email to qtimes@bolderboulder.com

What other races can be used to qualify?

Any timed race between three miles and a marathon completed within one year of the upcoming BOLDERBoulder can get you in a qualified wave. Check out our official Qualifier Race Calendar to find a race to get your qualifier in.

Can I submit my race to be a qualifier? YES!

Any timed road race between three miles and a marathon  that posts results online can apply to be a BOLDERBoulder qualifier race.

As a qualifier race, you agree to promote your event as a Qualifier for the BOLDERBoulder on social media and your race website. All Qualifier races will be promoted on BOLDERBoulder social media channels and listed on the on the official BB10K Qualifier Calendar.

Email us at andy@bolderboulder.com and we will contact you with specifics.

Horas de inicio

Categorías de olas

Qualified Running Waves 
Require proof. The first 29 waves are reserved for runners who finish faster than 75 minutes. Proof must be within one year of the upcoming BOLDERBoulder.

Non-Qualified Running Waves 
DO NOT require proof. For anyone planning to finish faster than 75 minutes (12:04 per mile).

Jogging Waves 
DO NOT require proof. For anyone planning to jog, and finish between 75 and 90 minutes (12:04 – 14:29 per mile).

Jogging/Walking Waves 
DO NOT require proof. For anyone planning to jog more than walk, and finish between 1:30:00 and 1:40:00 (14:29 – 16:06 per mile).

Walking/Jogging Waves 
DO NOT require proof. For anyone planning to walk more than jog, and finish between 1:40:00 and 1:50:00 (16:06 – 17:42 per mile).

Olas caminando
NO requiere prueba. Para cualquiera que planee caminar y terminar entre 1:40:00 y 2:16:20 (17:42 – 22:00 por milla).

Course Cutoff 
All participants must pass the intersection of Folsom and Arapahoe by 11:27am, and finish by 11:45am to stay ahead of the Pro Race. For the last wave, this works out to a 2:16:40 finish time and a 22:00 pace.