Running the Bolder Boulder 10K is no walk in the park, but putting it on live television is a long-distance effort.
For the 26th time, KCNC-Channel 4 takes on the larger-than-life task of covering the Memorial Day race from first gun to last finisher, starting at 9 a.m. Monday.
According to producer Erica Ferrero, Channel 4 will deploy 53 crew members, 12 “talent,” 21 cameras, five trucks and a helicopter to cover the race, which winds through Boulder and ends up inside Folsom Field.
Anchoring this year’s coverage, with emphasis on the citizens’ race, are Steve Atkinson and Larry Green, but don’t look for Atkinson in the race field – he’s coming off surgery for a herniated disc in his neck.
Covering runners out on the course are Kathy Walsh, Tony Lopez and Suzanne McCarroll. Two fit guys, Ed Greene and Vic Lombardi, will wait at the finish line.
For added depth, Atkinson is going to Boulder on Saturday “to meet a lot of the runners, to gather a few stories about them.” They’ll be handy on race day.
“It’s a lot of fun,” says Atkinson, doing his third BB. “We try to make it fun for people at home, to make it as family-oriented as we can. That’s what it’s all about.”
“Gentlemen …”
It’s a new start time but 33 cars will go round and round until somebody wins the 89th Indianapolis 500 race on Sunday.
The race has more interest this year with the addition of rookie Danica Patrick, the first woman driver with a realistic chance of winning. “I hope and expect to win here,” she told USA Today. “I think if the day goes well and I can make it through traffic and have a smooth day without any mistakes, I don’t see why I can’t.”
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell drives the pace car. Coverage starts at 10 a.m., an hour later than in the past, on KMGH-Channel 7. The later start prevented some stock-car drivers from trying to double up by running in the 500 and in the Coca-Cola 600, airing from Charlotte, N.C., at 3 p.m. on KDVR-Channel 31.
Around the dial
England, its roster decimated by injuries, faces the U.S. National soccer team Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago (1 p.m., ESPN). … Wally Backman, briefly the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, among the features on “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” on HBO (8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. today and 8 a.m. Saturday). … ESPN2 gets into the French Open tennis tournament with both feet, offering coverage of the early rounds at 8 a.m. today and Friday. NBC (Channel 9) covers the tourney at 10 a.m. Saturday … Future Rockies on parade: The Colorado Springs Sky Sox, top minor league for Our Rockies, take on the Portland Beavers (7 p.m. Friday, Altitude) … Quotable: “Jogging is for people who aren’t intelligent enough to watch television.” – Victoria Wood.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
