2017 top three American finishers, Diego Estrada, Leonard Korir and Sam Chalenga return to race in exciting line-up for 2018 BolderBOULDER.
BOULDER, COLO. (April 12, 2018) – BolderBOULDER, America’s All-Time Best 10K, today announced the top American athletes traveling to Boulder to compete in the 2018 International Pro Team Challenge. Returning this year are Leonard Korir, Sam Chalenga and Diego Estrada who took first, second, and third place respectively for Team USA in 2017 race. Korir was mere seconds away from winning the 2017 professional race when Gabriel Geay eked by at the last second.
“The strong pool of American runners coming to race the International Pro Team Challenge will make for an exciting professional race in 2018,” said BolderBOULDER pro athlete coordinator, Don Janicki. “The athletes I have spoken to are thrilled to represent Team USA at the BolderBOULDER’s 40th Anniversary celebration.”
Members of the Men’s Team USA include four runners from the Army’s WCAP program based in Colorado Springs Emmanuel Bor as well as last year’s top US male Leonard Korir who was also a member of the 2016 USA Olympic Team. Other American’s include Sam Chelanga, Diego Estrada, Ian Butler who won the first-ever FORTitude 10K Pro Race Chase, Jared Ward who finished 6th in the 2016 Olympic Marathon, and Brandon Johnson who finished second in the 2017 BolderBOULDER open race.
Also returning in 2018 is 2017 International Pro Team Challenge winner, Gabriel Geay.
“I’m so happy BolderBOULDER invited me back again,” said Geay. “I hope I will be able to defend my title but have some tough competition from Leonard Korir and other competitors.”
Members of the Women’s Team USA include Taylor Ward; a rising star in American women’s distance running, Colorado native Natosha Rogers who finished third in the 2017 International Team Challenge, Lindsey Scherf who finished sixth in the 2017 International Team Challenge and Lauren Martin-Masterson who was the first female finisher in the 2017 BolderBOULDER citizen’s race.
Five-time BolderBOULDER International Team Challenge Female winner Mamitu Daska from Ethiopia is also scheduled to compete in 2018. If she wins in 2018 she will hold the record for most wins by a professional female racer, surpassing Rosa Mota who also holds five wins.
In addition to the American athletes competing at this year’s race, the BolderBOULDER will also be welcoming teams from all over the world including South Africa, Central America, Kenya, Tanzania, Poland, Cuba and Brazil. Additional countries competing will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We look forward to hosting another competitive international event thanks to the athlete’s continuing commitment to the race, “said BolderBOULDER Race Director, Cliff Bosley. “Some of the top ranked teams are trained in both altitude and marathon running and bring a competitive edge that keeps the event exhilarating to watch each and every year.”
The BolderBOULDER Push Rim race will begin at 6:50 AM and includes 2018 Paralympic team member and last year’s male winner Aaron Pike and 2017 female winner Cheri Madsen.
The BolderBOULDER created the International Team Challenge in 1998 which includes professional runners from all over the world that compete on three-person teams in a team by country format, for one of the largest non-marathon prize purse races in the country. This year’s total prize purse is valued at $110,600 before bonuses, last year BolderBOULDER paid $177,500. The men’s and women’s professional races follow the BolderBOULDER course and are scheduled to finish in a packed stadium at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field before the Memorial Day Tribute.
The International Team Challenge will take place at the BolderBOULDER on Monday, May 28th with the women’s race tentatively starting at 11:13 AM and the men’s race beginning at 11:24 AM.
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About BolderBOULDER
The BolderBOULDER, named America’s All-Time Best 10K by Runner’s World, is the 3rd largest running race in the United States and the 7th largest in the world. The race attracts over 50,000 runners, joggers, walkers and wheelchair racers, and draws professional athletes from around the world to compete for one of the largest non-marathon prize purses in road racing. The 2018 race winds through Boulder neighborhoods with live music and entertainment at every corner. The race finishes at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field and attracts over 100,000 runners and spectators. The 40th annual BolderBOULDER will be held on Memorial Day, May 28th, 2018. For more information please visit: www.bolderboulder.com