The Computer Runs the Bolder Boulder: A Simulation of a Major Running Race

The annual Bolder Boulder, one of America's top 10k races, attracts world-class runners as well as casual joggers. In recent years the race has grown to approximately 20,000 runners. As the race grew, problems arose (in particular, crowdedness at the finish line). We constructed a simulation model of the race and used it to evaluate various proposed solutions. Based on the results, race management identified solutions to the problems. The race has since accommodated record numbers of runners with no problems at all, and it is thought of as one of the best managed races in the country.