It's by far Utica's biggest event. Held the second sunday of July, the Boilermaker 15K Road Race draws thousands of runners from all over the world. From Olympians to the girl next door, anyone is welcome to participate. As Explore New York continues, Alana LaFlore shows how the Boilermaker 15K Road Race became what it is today.
UTICA, N.Y. -- Many runners continue to come back to Utica each year to take part in the world-reknowned Boilermaker 15K Road Race each July since it began in 1978.
"Every year is different. I think it's one of the largest biggest thrills to me that's what I believe in. Because to me there's nothing like receiving the applause of all those generous people," said Joseph Wilczynski, an annual runner.
Originally, the race was a way to celerbrate a company then known as Utica Radiator's 50th anniversary.
"I think the thought process was that maybe it was going to be a one-time thing," said Tim Reed, president of the race. "To even get 900 back in the late 70s like that was pretty impressive. Fast forward to the next year they had about 1,200 people signed up for the race. And the community so embraced the race there was sort of no way to stop it."
The Boilermaker continued to grew bigger every year. And in the early 80s when Bill Rodgers, who had won the Boston Marathon four times, laced up his shoes and crossed the Boilermaker's finish line, things changed even more.
"It just really took off after that. Looking back, let's face it, a race that ends and a brewery gives away free beer, I mean what's not to love about that?" said race director Jim Stasaitis.
With registration over for this year's race, and hundreds on a wait list, the 2015 Boilermaker is expected to be the biggest ever at around 20,000 runners.
The Boilermaker holds a 5K race the day of the 15K, along with a walk, a kids run and an expo the day before. Throughout the year they hold several events, promoting its mission of health and wellness and fostering the community pride and support surrounding the race.