UTICA, N.Y. — There are only seven weeks left until the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica. To prepare, hundreds of runners participated in the annual Erie Canal Half Marathon Sunday. 

For the first time, the race started and finished at the Adirondack Bank Center. While the weather wasn't ideal, runners say they still enjoyed traveling along the 13.1 mile course.

"It got a little wet but it is what it is so the runners out there were awesome, cheering each other on so it's the best you could do. But the organizers, everyone along the course made it great for us, handing out water, cheering us on. So overall it was a great experience," said half marathon runner, Bill Callahan. 

Runners could also run in relay and 5K races.

A portion of the proceeds from Sunday's event went to the "Save of the Day" foundation; a charity that provides financial assistance to children with life-threatening illnesses.