The preliminary events are over. Bring on the main event.
Boilermaker weekend in Utica has already seen a health and wellness expo, a kids' run and the Boilermaker Walk, but today brings the featured races: The Boilermaker 5K, the Boilermaker Wheelchair 15K and the flagship Boilermaker 15K race.
And the fun doesn't stop with the races. Runners can bask in the glory of their accomplishment at the Saranac Post Race Party at F.X. Matt Brewing Co.
Follow here for live updates before, during and after the races Sunday.
And the winners are ...
Here are photos of the winners of today's Boilermaker 5K, wheelchair and 15K races.
Wheelchair winner
Josh Cassidy won the Boilermaker wheelchair race.
Utica's Herman Garic came in second.
15K underway
The 2024 Boilermaker 15K is officially underway.
Stay here as we'll provide you with the winners, as soon as we can.
'This is my favorite race'
Catherine Latour is from Fishkill.
This is her fifth - or is it sixth - Boilermaker. She's lost count.
"This is my favorite race I've ever run," she said. "And I've run a few half marathons and 15Ks."
And, we're off
The wheelchair racers are off.
The racers are pictured above, lining up just prior to the start of their race.
Boilermaker 5K winners
The first finishers are in: The 5K racers are already crossing the finish line.
The male winner of the 5K race is Brendan Carter, from Watertown Mass.
The female winner is Annika Hurley from Glastonbury, Conn.
Check out our database of Boilermaker race winners since 2015.
Look back:See photos of past Boilermaker winners and celebrations
Professional racer
Michelle Wheeler, originally from New Jersey and now calling Texas home, is a professional wheelchair racer that trains every day. Wheeler said she likely racks up anywhere from 70 to 100 miles a week.
She's a member of Team USA and is racing in the Boilermaker prior to next week's trials for a spot in Paris.
"I do all the major marathons in the world and then come up for smaller marathons like the Boilermaker, which we [Team USA love]," she said.
The wheelchair race starts at 7:45 a.m.
Boilermaker start time
The 5K race will start momentarily.
Pictured above, are some of the 15K racers gathering near the starting line. The 15K race starts at 8 a.m.
Visiting from New Jersey
We're talking with some of the participants prior to the race starting.
Terry Wilson is from Newtown, New Jersey.
This is his eleventh Boilermaker race.
He says today is going to be a good race day. The atmosphere near the starting line - and Utica overall - are great, he says.
"Racing is a hobby you get hooked to," he said.
Will there be beer after the race?
For a while, it looked like the Boilermaker After Party at F.X. Matt Brewing Company might not be allowed to serve lager, stout, porter or even ale.
But the legislature, spurred on by state Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome, and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, and Gov. Kathy Hochul stepped up to save the day and the beverage of the day.
Read more on the decision and how it occurred here.
When are the Boilermaker races?
The 5-kilometer racers start first Sunday at 7:15 a.m., followed by the wheelchairs at 7:45 a.m. and the 15K at 8 a.m.
Virtual runners
Anyone running the Boilermaker in spirit rather than in person has this week to submit their results.
Submissions opened Saturday and will be accepted until 11:59 a.m. on the formal race day through the RaceJoy mobile app (www.racejoy.net/app).
Virtual runners are bound only by the runner's code of ethics and may complete the 5- or 15-kilometer run anywhere, including a treadmill.
Raceday parking
There is no reserved parking for participants or spectators, making planning early important. Also, road closures start at 5 a.m.
Five-kilometer runners can use the west lot at ConMed on Chenango Road and catch a shuttle to the start or walk from the Murnane Field area. Shuttles are for registered runners only and are not open to spectators or race volunteers.
There is some street parking at the 15K start near HTI International, and closer to the finish along public streets near Wynn Hospital and along Erie Street.
Weather outlook
With heatwaves, tornado watches, thunderstorms, and more hitting Central New York this summer, there’s a question hanging over everyone’s head — what’s it going to be like Sunday for the Boilermaker Road Race?
Meteorologist Brian Tentinger at the Binghamton National Weather Service said dewpoint is looking to be in the 60s and temperatures in the upper 80s come Sunday.
“It’s going to be hot, but with what we’re looking at right now for the Utica, it’s below 90 for highs that day,” he said. “It won’t be an extreme heat, but if you’re outside, you’ll see plenty of sun — a typical summer day.”
Flyover planned
Boilermaker officials announced that, weather permitting, elements from the US Air Force and US Army are scheduled to participate in flyovers for the 47th running of the Boilermaker Road Race.
“The Boilermaker is honored to be in a position where our country’s Air Force and Army are collaborating to put together very special and unique flyovers to help us celebrate theachievements of our over 14,000 participants on Sunday,” said Mark Donovan, Boilermaker president, in a statement. “In addition to our gratitude to the military and its personnel involved, we are also grateful for the work done by Senator Griffo and his staff to secure this exciting development for the benefit of Boilermaker Nation.”
