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CU Boulder celebrates 50 years of running with Ralphie

Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)

The original Ralphie runs with her first group of handlers at the Heritage Center. (

There's a unique level of energy in the air when Ralphie V and her handlers are in the back of the end zone at Folsom Field, preparing for her to charge and lead the Colorado football team onto the field on Saturdays.

Adrenaline flows through all of the handlers, and they can sense the excitement in Ralphie, as well.

"She enjoys being a buffalo, but man, she loves to run," said John Graves, CU's Ralphie program manager.