Sheriff's Office Say Boulder Marathon Organizers Missed Deadline
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) – Organizers of the Boulder Marathon announced on Friday that race has been canceled, but there are some conflicting reports as to why.
The race had been set for Oct. 5. Race organizer Jeff Mason said "the hurdles and challenges in the wake of last year's flooding has made it impossible" to produce the Boulder Marathon event in 2014. Runners said that reason made sense last year, but this year they are questioning the decision.
"It's a sucker punch," runner David Benje told CBS4.
"It's a shame," runner Michael Blackburn said. "I ran on it two weeks ago. I did a long run out there and, you know, beautiful morning and no problems with any of the roads."
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office says the actual reason the race was canceled is because organizers missed permit deadlines.
Sgt. Heidi Prentup told CBS4 she didn't know the exact deadlines but they are "well-known deadlines by all race coordinators" and she wasn't "aware of any flood damage on those roads."
Prentup said the Boulder County's Special Events Department has known about the deadline issue for some time and had been in contact with the organizer.
People who paid the registration fee can use that money for next year's race. However, on the marathon's Facebook page some runners are upset because they made plans to travel from out of town and they'll lose money for airfare and lodging.
"This is absurd! I ran most of the course last week and it's in perfect condition. I have no idea what the flood has to do with this," Nick Williams posted on Facebook.
"I also need my money back," Melissa Hunt wrote. "I cannot commit to the 2015 races."
Permits for the race are required by the Colorado State Patrol, Boulder Reservoir, Boulder Police, Boulder County Sheriff's Department and Boulder County Transportation Department.
""I don't have confidence in their promoter to put on that event," Benje said. "Now two years in a row people are being down. Refund the money."
Mason also said recent deaths in the running community contributed to the decision to cancel.
Organizers of the Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon announced they are offering runners displaced by the cancellation of the Boulder Marathon free registration for the race held on Oct. 19 in Denver.
MORE ON CBSDENVER.COM: Rock 'n' Roll Denver Marathon & 1/2 Section
The Bear Chase Trail Race in Lake City on Sept. 27-28 is also offering half-price registration to all Boulder Marathon entrants. Visit bearchaserace.com for more details.
