Photos: More Than 50,000 Run the 2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

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Photos: More Than 50,000 Run the 2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

The 38th running of the Bolder Boulder 10K—one of Competitor’s must-do 10Ks—drew an estimated 50,765 participants to the streets of Boulder, Colo., on Monday in a celebration of fitness, fresh air and Memorial Day. The race is one of the fastest and deepest in the country—more than 500 runners broke 40 minutes this year—but it has a community atmosphere with bands, belly dancers, costumed runners, Slip ‘n’ Slides and unofficial aid stations with beer, bacon and cupcakes. Brandon Johnson, 28, of Denver won the citizen’s race title in 30:34, while Boulder’s Melissa Doc, 34, was the top women’s finisher in the open race in 35:44. In the pro races that capped off the day, Kenya’s Isaac Mukundi was the top finisher in 29:12, while Ethiopia’s Amane Gobena was the top woman in 33:39.

Scroll through the photos below to see some of the highlights of the 2016 Bolder Boulder. (For results, go to the Bolder Boulder site.)

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

The "A" wave of the citizen's race always gets off to a fast and furious start. Keep your eye on the runners in the monkey suit and the banana costume at the left. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

The guy in the banana costume, 20-year-old Steven Goldy, sprinted to an early lead at the start while being chased by the guy in the monkey suit, 17-year-old Nathan Herr. They slowed considerably and came through the first mile in 8:30 en route to finishing in 8,306th and 8,307th place place in 57:20. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Cool weather in the morning helped 114 runners break 36 minutes at the front of the pack. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

The Bolder Boulder has been famous for its course-side attractions, including several groups of belly dancers. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Many runners were dressed up with patriotic garb to celebrate Memorial Day. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Even Batman had a patriotic flair. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Boulder resident Mark Eller celebrated his 49th birthday by running with his son, Sam, en route a 57:30 finish.

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Since the race began in 1979, more than 1.3 million runners have run the Bolder Boulder. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

"Miss Tutu" has been cheering on runners near the 3-mile mark for more than 20 years. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Running in a tutu is still a big thing at the Bolder Boulder. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Runners and walkers chugged down more than 15,000 gallons of fluid from aid stations during the race. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Many runners ran with memorial race bibs honoring someone who served in the military. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Thanks to a 4:51 second mile, Ian Butler (left) built a huge early lead through the 5K mark of the citizen's race, but Brandon Johnson tracked him down before the 5-mile mark and ran away with a 34-second victory in 30:34. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Johnson's fastest mile was his fifth—4:43, the quickest in the citizens field—and his final time was six seconds faster than that of last year’s winner. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Melissa Dock of Boulder ran strong to secure the women's citizen's race title in 35:44. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

American Lindsey Scherf was the early leader of the elite women's race, pacing the field through the first two miles in 5:25 and 5:32. Photo: Lucy Simich Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Just as Ethiopian Amane Gobena made a surge to break away from the lead pack, an Ethiopian fan ran alongside her with her national flag to cheer her on. Photo: Lucy Simich Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Ethiopian Amane Gobena surged from the pack with a 5:20 fourth mile and a 5:15 fifth mile to distance herself from the rest of the runners. Photo: Lucy Simich Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

With an estimated 40,000 Bolder Boulder runners and spectators filling Folsom Field on the University of Colorado campus, Ethiopian Amane Gobena was the first runner to reach the finish line in the elite women's race. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

In the men's pro race, Kenyan Isaac Mukundi battled with Ethiopian Terefe Debela in the final miles. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Kenyan Isaac Mukundi charged to victory of the men's elite race in 29:12. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

American Diego Estrada finished third overall (29:40) in the men's pro field and helped the USA Red team to a second-place finisher. Scott Fauble placed 6th (29:54) and Abdi Abdirahman was 8th (30:04) to boost the American team. Kenya narrowly edged the Americans to win the men's team title. Photo: Glen Delman

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

American Scott Fauble placed 6th overall in 29:54. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

American Bobby Curtis cools off after finishing 15th place in the men's pro race. Temperatures reached the upper 70s by midday when the elite races concluded. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Colorado resident Alisha Williams was the top American in the women's pro race, finishing eighth in 34:42. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

Two-time U.S. Olympian Alan Culpepper interviewed winner Isaac Mukundi for the Root Sports broadcast of the race. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

American runners Tara Welling (10th), Brianne Nelson (13th), Lindsey Scherf (11th) and Alisha Williams (8th) celebrate after a strong showing in the women's elite race. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

The Japanese women's team placed second, led by a runner-up finish from Miyuki Uehara. Kenya won the women's team title, followed by Japan, Ethiopia and the USA Red team in the final team standings. Photo: Peter N. Jones

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

After the races concluded, one of the country's largest Memorial Day celebrations began. Skydivers landed in the stadium, brining flags of all branches of the U.S. military, an MIA/POW flag and a giant American flag. Photo: Brian Metzler

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2016 Bolder Boulder 10K

More than 40,000 people in the stadium were treated to a military color guard presentation, an Air Force jet fly-over and a 21-gun salute to veterans. Photo: Brian Metzler

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