Thousands of people will soon be running 15 kilometers, or a little more than nine miles, through the city of Utica.

But communities along the annual Boilermaker Road Race course are also affected by the influx of people.

Demeanor is different at the start of a 15K compared to the end and the Marr-Logg Restaurant is near the start.

"They're usually pumped and energetic," said The Marr-Logg Restaurant waitress Donna Mutolo. "A few look a little, ya know, but it's amazing."

The Bagel Grove, with the official Boilermaker bagels, is about halfway through the race.

"People are still feeling pretty good and then when they, I think they call it 'Heartbreak Hill' from the Heart Run, but still it's this kind of uphill, really sunny, there's no trees, not much to look at, right there," said owner Annie Wadsworth. "So I think everyone is still in good mood. They turn the corner and then it's probably the hardest part of the race."

You'll find Tony's Pizza toward the finish. The owner's daughter watches the race every year.

"The first couple people, they're fine. They're used to this, and there are people at the end," said Taylor Listovitch, of Ilion. "Since it's so close, there are so many mobs of people, they really push them through. I think without the story of this part of town and the community, a lot of people wouldn't finish."

Many businesses along the course have their own traditions.

"The girls try to run out when it starts up. Hopefully everybody is done eating so we can go out and enjoy it as well," Mutolo said. "You run back inside, and get ready for people that are coming in for breakfast or finish up with the ones who have already been here."

"They actually go right around us. So we die during the race, but that's actually kind of nice because we've had such a busy week, busy morning. We all go out and watch the runners, cheer them on, and then get ready for the rush afterwards," said Wadsworth.

Sam's Mini Market is by Tony's Pizza near the end of the race. The family owners buy water bottles for their family to hand out.

"They all stand out with the water, holding the water bottles up for somebody to grab and give to the people that's running, the community, a support, to smile, to see that the kids are also trying to be part of it," said Sam's Mini Market manager Ibrahim Algradi.

Instead of cheering on racers and handing out water bottles, some spectators will be runners this year.

"I've always seen the runners pass by," Listovitch said. "We always sit outside and watch them. It's pretty cool to actually do it for once. I've watched it every year."

The 15K starts by ECR International on Dwyer Avenue, ending at the Saranac Brewery.

You can see the Boilermaker Road Race on Sunday, July 14 by watching Spectrum News.

Live race coverage begins bright and early at 7:30 a.m.