Bill Rodgers celebrates 30th year running the Cherry Creek Sneak

Bill Rodgers (in orange) will run in his 30th Cherry Creek Sneak on Sunday, April 29. Photo courtesy of Bill Rodgers

As one of Denver’s oldest and most beloved running events sprints into its 30th year, a local runner recalls three decades of a running tradition.

Flashback to 1982 – running was a fringe sport, the Nike logo wasn’t on everything yet and Bill Rodgers was participating in the very first Cherry Creek Sneak.  Now 15 marathons, a handful of bike races, and countless 5K and 10K races later, he returns to the Sneak one more time, this year to celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary Sunday, April 29, in Denver.

Rodgers has seen what Denver locals lovingly refer to as “The Sneak” evolve