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DENVER —**With an estimated seven thousand runners and fans in attendance at Sports Authority Field at Mile High for the main race of seven thousand meters, the day looked perfect.

It was perfect race weather: cool and sunny with a slight breeze. For those running, the race had a terrific atmosphere of excitement, the nerves of racing swirling with the fun element of an event centering on the Broncos and a course finishing at the Broncos' 50 yard line.

But for two runners, the main event to happen on the Broncos' field Sunday morning came after the race had already finished for them.

Greg Lauer and Tiffany Lengyel crossed the line together, walking through the chute after the finish line, which snaked down the sideline path past the endzone and into the tunnel.

But what Tiffany didn't know was that Greg had a surprise waiting for her in the stands. Their family had a sign in the endzone seating section that announced Greg's wedding proposal to Tiffany.

After seeing the sign, she covered her mouth in surprise as Greg kneeled to open the engagement ring box.

Naturally, that was the biggest event of the day, but the race had plenty more in store for fans who came along to run or cheer on family or friends.

The spirit the whole day was jovial and everyone I spoke to was excited for the race, sure, but they were especially excited for the team's regular season opener.

The Broncos had a few players on hand to meet with fans and to take pictures with them, including Brandon Marshall and Nate Irving, as were Broncos cheerleaders. Broncos safety David Bruton joined Miles to start the Kids Fun Run. Both the kids race and the 7K finished with a final segment through the tunnel and the inflatable Broncos head.

For Tyler Bane, an Aurora native, that was the biggest reward.

"It was amazing to see all the fans clapping you on. Being on the field and running out of the tunnel where the Broncos run out, it was a good feeling," he said.

Bane, a lifelong Broncos fan, ran the race in a shirt that read "This one's for Pat" to honor owner Pat Bowlen. The season ticket holder made the shirt following the news of Bowlen's stepping down and said "Well, this year's got to be for Pat Bowlen."

Scott Priebe did the Broncos Behind The Scenes Stadium Run/Walk with his son while Scott's wife, a seasoned veteran runner, ran the 7K. For a Colorado native like Priebe, he was not about to miss anything Broncos related.

And the draw for his newborn son?

"He loves the color orange."