The Bobolink FKT Challenge
The Bobolink Trail is one of Boulder’s most popular paths, stretching for 3.3 miles along South Boulder Creek. It’s mostly flat, and mostly fast, with a few obstacles along the way. In April 2021 we challenged Boulder to see how fast it could be done — end-to-end, out-and-back, cow gates and all.
The rules of this challenge were simple. Run the trail, submit your time, and see how your result stacks up against the competition. The results can be found below.
Top Times
Men’s Leaderboard
Garret Lee 34:56
Joe Posler 35:16
Andy Wacker 35:22
Brian Hernan 36:04
John Minen 36:07
Seth Ruhling 36:16
Charles Remillard 36:41
Ryan Becker 37:06
Kevin Blank 37:10
Brian Schroy 37:13
William Rowsam 39:17
Trevor Turner 42:54
Matthew VanVoorhees 44:26
Chis Shelton 48:26
Women’s Leaderboard
Karley Rempel 43:28
Mary Higgins 43:43
Kate Davis 44:16
Sierra Castaneda 44:39
Candace Alai 48:58
Erica Cohen 50:02
Liubov Lomonsova 52:53
Map by Boulder artist and runner Bryn Morales. Check out more of her work at https://www.geminiillustrations.com/.
Challenge Details.
Dates: The challenge ended Sunday, April 18.
Recording/Submitting Your Run: All submitted times were required to be supported by GPS data synced via Strava or Garmin. Our team verified all results to ensure accuracy.
Course Description: The official start/finish is the Bobolink Trailhead where the gravel path begins just off Baseline Road. Runners will head S/SW following the double track crushed gravel trail. At about 0.6 miles runners will cross over a concrete bike path and continue on the crushed gravel path. The trail continues to follow South Boulder Creek passing under South Boulder Road and Highway 36. After crossing under Highway 36 you will pass through two cow gates as the trail turns westward and terminates at old Marshall Road at the final cow gate. Touch the gate, turn around, and retrace your steps back to the start. It is slightly uphill on the way out and downhill on the way home.
Say hi to the cows and prairie dogs along the way, and please respect the Boulder County mask ordinance. Also do your best to close all gates behind you — or for an added challenge you may chose to steeple over them.
Rules of the Road: Runners were expected to follow all local rules, park regulations, and obey appropriate social distancing requirements during their runs.
Assumption of the Risk: Running may be considered a potentially dangerous activity, and anyone who attempts this challenge assumes all risks associated with participation. If you are not comfortable accepting these risks, please do not attempt this challenge.