If you guessed the Neder- Nederland/Ned*Ned race then you are either a long-time local or one sharp cookie! This late summer race started in 1982 when Ronald Reagan was president and Richard Lamm was Colorado’s governor. The Commodore 42 home computer was launched, Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy were making us laugh on Late Night and SNL, and Lawnchair Larry flew his seat 16,000 feet up using weather balloons. We were listening to top songs “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago and “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor and paying around $1.22 per gallon for gas.

The Neder-Nederland, as it was called then, was started to raise money for the Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce. The first running took place on September 15, 1982, the first Sunday after Labor Day. It included a 5k (about 3 miles) and a 10k (about 6 miles) race that started at the high school, headed toward the town of Eldora, turned around and finished at Chipeta Park.

Since the first running, the race was regularly scheduled on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This tradition continued until there became a conflict with the CU Buffalo Classic bike ride happening the same day in 2003. Since then, the race has moved to the first Saturday after Labor Day. The course has also changed some to include a half marathon and more trail running, but has always had a start somewhere in town and a finish near the east side of town with a portion of the race right in town.

Kay Turnbaugh was the first director and continued in this position for several years. Dave Felkley, also known as Bigfoot, and an icon of Nederland history, was the race announcer from the first race until near the end of his life. Brownlee Guyer, another Nederland longtime character, was the starter with his cannon providing the boom to set the runners off. These colorful NedHeads will be covered in more depth in a future article about the history of the race.

In its current configuration, the Ned*Ned is hosted by TEENS, Inc., with Sue Churches directing. The proceeds go to support youth and families of our community. The race has evolved to include a very popular 13.1 mile run that quickly heads off pavement and is primarily on trails along west and east Magnolia Road in the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forests.

This race is also part of the Colorado Mountain Half Series that includes half marathons in four other mountain locations for those who are hardy enough to want 5 races running up and down the hills. The 10k has shifted to include more trail running, while the 5k remains on roads and is the lighter, more humorous component of the event, encouraging costumes and dog companions.

Feeling ready to join the fun? The race will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Registration is open at www.nednedrun.com. Hope to see you there!