Race Interview: Larry Avery, Founder Avery Brewing Company and Race Director 4 on the 4th

Tho-run (TR): The Brewery has been open since 1993. Talk about when and how the idea for a race came about?

Larry Avery (LA):  Having run races since 1980, I always wanted to put on a race since my son and I started the brewery 19 years ago, but never had the facilities until 6-7 years ago.

At one of the Boulder Road Runner (BRR) monthly socials, Carl Mohr ( then BRR's VP) and I came up with the idea to have a race on the Fourth of July, since there wasn't a race in Boulder.

TR: I cover 10-15 races a year across the Front Range. There are all kinds of prizes, from medals, glasses, and even buckles. But Avery has some great beer prizes-that's unique.

LA:  Another member, I think it was Ted Kennedy, came up with the idea of giving the overall winners their weight in beer (a case weighs about 32 lbs). 5 year age group winners get a case of beer.

TR:  The 4th of July is a great holiday. People are cooking out, going to fireworks shows and celebrating. You have to have a dedicated staff to put on a event on what would normally be a day off for your volunteers. How hard has it been to staff an event on such a big holiday?

LA: This year is our 5th annual race. We started with 225 runners our 1st year and has steadily grown (without any advertisement) to 525 last year and we are capping the race at 550 this year due toparking constraints.Staffing the race has not been a problem. We are lucky to have a really great bunch of employees and the BRR provide several volunteers.The brewery in turn donates $1000 to their CU Track & Field Endowment Fund.

TR: Boulder is known for its outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, cycling and running. What kind of outreach have you had with the local community to publicize the race?

LA: We don't publicize at all, except thru race entries at 4 running stores, our tap room, and our web site.

TR:  Describe race day as the event organizer.

LA: On race day the runners park at the brewery, pick up their bib and tech shirt, walk or run to the start in Flatiron Business Park about 1 mile from the brewery. The 9:00 am race is on a flat course with 3 turnarounds,so you can keep track of your competition. After the race, breakfast is served at the brewery by Front Range Catering along with beverages, including, of course, Avery beer. About 10:00-10:15 there is an awards ceremony.  I've had several runners comment it's the best race they have ever attended, especially the ones winning beer! We also randomly give away 10-15 $25 gift certificates to Boulder Running Co. It seems everyone leaves happy that they ran the race! Having run over 800 races, I think I know what makes for a good race experience and try to provide that to the runners of my race.