UTICA,  N.Y -- Many runners across our viewing area are getting ready for the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica on July 8th. 

The challenging 9.3 run requires some training while runners should also keep a few other things in order to run a better race.  

Brad Vivacqua spoke to running expert Dave Oja and got some tips:

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water leading up to race day.  In addition to staying hydrated, runners are encouraged to maintain a healthy diet. 

It's also a good option to buy a new pair of running sneakers a few weeks before race day to help avoid an injury. However, a new pair right before race day probably isn't the best plan. 

Another issue some runners may face is soreness or minor injuries from their training.  In fact, leg injuries may become quite common for those running regularly.  Oja says stretching before and after your training runs will certainly help you avoid an injury. 

The severity of an injury of course can vary so if you're feeling some pain after a run, be careful and take a day off.