NEDERLAND — On Leg 103 of a 3,016 mile relay run from San Francisco, California, to Washington D.C., the American flag was carried through Nederland.

The flag’s journey hit around the 1,250 mile mark—41% of its total venture—when it traveled through Boulder County, inspiring local residents to suit up and follow. 

The Relay For America, a run with more than 250 Americans passing the flag from coast to coast, came from the chance meeting of two expert marathon runners, Joe Nail and Wyatt Moss, who were both running to achieve 50 marathons in 50 states. 

Nail, an officer of the Army National Guard with a Masters of Business Administration from Stanford, and Moss, an online creator gone viral with his feats in endurance running, put together a powerful team to organize this amazing event. The team includes Alex Romano, Astronomical Engineer with the U.S. Space Force; Lauren Williams from the Stanford Management Science and Engineering program; Documentarian Charley Blum; and international triathlon organizer Josh Vernon. 

Over 250 runners signed up to carry the flag from California to Washington D.C. for the Relay For America.

Photos by Christopher Kelley

Together they created the Relay For America as a celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary and as a tribute to those who served in the military. This was not to be showcased by one singular runner committed to a personal feat, but by hundreds if not thousands of Americans who signed up to run. The team also called for nominations of the names of veterans to be honored at every mile. 

The relay kicked off from Rodeo Beach, California, on June 14, 2026 (Flag Day), and will continue through 15 states total, expected to end in the nation’s capital on July 4. The ultimate goal is to unite Americans, according to race organizers. 

“Throughout my life, running has always been a powerful way to bring people together,” said Olympic athlete and world champion runner Jenny Simpson in a testimonial on the Relay For America website. “I love the idea of a relay across America to celebrate, demonstrate, and remind us that we are all connected.” 

The flag came to Nederland from Lake Granby, down Arapaho Pass Trail, early on Monday morning, June 22, before meeting with Fourth of July Road into Eldora Road. It then turned onto Highway 119 and headed into Gilpin County around 7:30 a.m. before making its way toward Boulder via Magnolia Road. 

As every mile of the 3,016 mile run is dedicated to a veteran or group of veterans named by participants in the relay. An Honor Wall is available on the event’s official website that lists and continually updates the names of the honorees. 

A visit to the website also provides live updates, a leg-by-leg view of the cross-country course, the opportunity to sign up to run a leg, the opportunity to honor a veteran in an upcoming mile, and to view specific moments, including the historic launch from San Francisco, which has already reached over 115,000 views.

For more information go to relayforamerica.org