Hall of Famer Dick Beardsley Visits Hall

UTICA, NY (August 26, 2010)- The Distance Running Hall of Fame had the privilege Wednesday of hosting a very special guest; 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Dick Beardsley. Beardsley took the time to answer questions on running and sign autographs for fans. "Having recently been inducted, it's really neat to get the chance to come and meet a few people," Beardsley said.

 The SUNY IT track and field team made a visit to the Hall where Beardsley shared tips on running as well as words of encouragement for their upcoming season. Beardsley also spoke on his thoughts regarding the current state of American men's long distance running. "There are not as many young men running at the level we were 25 to 30 years ago but its coming. Things will continue to build and get better. It is definitely making a resurgence."

 This was Beardsley's first trip to the Distance Running Hall of Fame. "I'm really impressed, the building is gorgeous," Beardsley said. "It is so much fun seeing these great men and women of the sport, many of whom I competed against. This is our sport's big thing and to be here and to be part of it is very exciting."

Corporate Cup Competition

UTICA, NY (July 30, 2010)- On Wednesday night the Boilermaker Road Race celebrated the participants of its annual Corporate Cup Competition with an award ceremony held at the Brewery. The Corporate Cup is a race within a race, with local companies forming teams to compete against other local companies as they run the Boilermaker 15K.

Eve Van de Wal, Regional President of Excellus, which is in its second year as the title sponsor of the event, said the competition was a perfect fit for her company. "Our company believes in living a healthy lifestyle," Van del Wal said. "This competition isn't necessarily about winning but about staying active."

Corporate Cup Coordinator Cosmo Castellano said he felt the competition had other benefits as well. "The Boilermaker has grown so much over the years," Castellano said. "The winners are often from the far corners of the world. This competition however, features local companies and puts a face on the people we all see around town. This is something exciting for companies to do throughout the year, and it helps promote health and team building within these companies."

Ed Coluccio was a member of the ECR team which placed first in the Male Medium category. "Five of us would run during lunch time for four or five miles," Coluccio said. "When it got closer to race day we would come into work early and run eight miles then shower and start work. The competition helped form a common ground between us, it created accountability. Even on the days when you don't feel like it, the obligation to your fellow employees forces you to put your sneakers on and run."

2010 Bob Ingalls Police and Fire Competition

UTICA, NY (July 28, 2010)- In 2003 after attending the New York City Marathon, then Boilermaker Executive Director Bob Ingalls was inspired to create a competition that recognized our area's community protectors. Bob took two of his life's passions, his love for running and physical fitness, and his career with the Sheriff's Department to commence the annual Police and Fire Competition.

"It is perfect," Judy Ingalls said at this year's award ceremony, held Tuesday at the Brewery. "Bob and I talked about this event, which he was the brains behind. Bob loved competition and he wanted to get our service men and women more actively involved in the race and it worked."

This was the sixth year the Boilermaker Road Race featured the Police and Fire Competition which was renamed in 2009 to the Bob Ingalls Police and Fire Competition in honor of its late founder. Both the Utica police and fire departments enter a team into the race, which this year consisted of 15 members from each department. The department with the five fastest Boilermaker 15K runners receives a traveling trophy and more importantly, bragging rights. This year the competition was won by the Fire Department who reclaimed the trophy from the Police Department which had captured it last year.

"There is a lot of friendly needling going on between the guys who participate in the competition," the competition's Coordinator Frank Simonelli said. "They get a big kick out of it. It is a great competition and we hope it continues for years to come."

Boilermaker Youth Olympics A Hit

UTICA, NY (July 19, 2010)- After a week delay due to temperature concerns, the Boilermaker Youth Olympics kicked off Thursday afternoon at Proctor Park to a great reception, as young athletes from around the region participated in a variety of fun games.

Some of the sports featured at this year's competition included baseball, basketball, and kickball, as well as the third annual Youth Triathlon. Food and other entertainment were also provided for participants to enjoy.

"The Youth Olympics are fun, free, and promote fitness," Boilermaker Executive Director Tim Reed said. "These games are an important part of the Boilermaker experience and are perfectly in line with our ideal of maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

The event's annual poster contest celebrating our community was won by Our Lady of Lourdes Summer Youth Program.

The winners of the Third Annual Youth Triathlon were:

Competitor Group Age 10: Ashley Kim and Michael Vecchio

Competitor Group Age 11: Ryan Chow, Seth Garrett and Allison Garrett

Competitor Group Age 12-13: Vinnie LoConti, 13, Noah Jones, 13, and Mitchell Zasa, 13.

Road Runner Mile Well Worth the Wait

UTICA, NY (July 16, 2010)- This year's Road Runner Mile may have been atypical in the fact that it was held after Boilermaker Sunday, but the level of competition was top-notch as always.

After being rescheduled due to concerns over heat, the Third Annual Boilermaker Road Runner Mile took place Wednesday night along the Parkway in Utica.

The invitation only event which had previously consisted of only high school and college runners was expanded this year to include an open division in order to extend the experience to the large number of excellent area runners.

20-year-old Utica College senior Geoff Hale, took the men's college and open division crown, crossing the tape with a time of 4:29. Hale also finished in the top 300 in the Boilermaker 15K Road Race.

Ithaca College's Empire 8 Conference cross country rookie of the year Jenn Randall from Cincinnatus brought home top honors amongst the college women, finishing the mile in 5:02.

Meanwhile, Nate Matthews of Sauquoit Valley edged Aaron Tompkins of New Hartford by the narrowest of margins as both finished the mile in a blazing 4:26. Matthews however was awarded the win after proceedings came down to a photo finish.

Jenna Fallon of Waterville won the girl's high school race with a time of 5:23. 

Runners and attendees were also treated to the return of the energy infused drum line located Parkway curbside. 

"This race has a very promising future," Assistant Race Coordinator Ted Petrillo said. "In the future we will continue to promote area high school runners to further enhance interest and participation." 

2010 Boilermaker, A Race to Remember

The 33rd running of the Boilermaker 15K Road Race was truly historic. Reflecting on Sunday's record setting race, we feel there were a number of factors that contributed to 2010 being the biggest, fastest, and certainly one of the best Boilermakers ever. Foremost this year's race experienced the most entrants in its history with over 13,000 individuals registered. Furthermore, of all the guests who made their RSVP to our party, over 11,500 finished the race, which is also a new high.

The weather race morning was ideal. At 8 AM the temperature was a comfortable 65 degrees as runners congregated under sunny skies. Fewer than 100 of all the Boilermaker finishers were treated at the medical tent for race-related ailments, which is a real testament to the conditioning of this race's athletes. Additionally, not only was this year's field larger, it was deeper. Previously untouchable race records were shattered on both the men and women's side. Lelisa Desisa, 20, of Ethiopia, finished first amongst the men with a time of 42:46, an amazing 8 seconds faster than the previous record. Edna Kiplagat, 30, of Kenya, topped the women's field with a time of 47:57, which is an astonishing 9 seconds better than the previous record.

Stay tuned for more coverage on this year's race.

Important Information For Runners, July 6, 2010

The Expo: A large portion of Bleeker Street running in front of the Masonic Care Community will be closed due to safety concerns. There are various parking opportunities including the former Chicago Pneumatic building, now Deorio's Baking, which is located to the east of the Masonic property. Expo attendees are urged to plan extra time in order to locate parking.

The Expo, which traditionally had a 9 AM start time on Saturday, will open at 8 AM this year and run until 4:30 PM. Friday's hours will remain the same, from noon to 7 PM.

Should adverse weather occur during the Friday or Saturday of the Expo, packet registration will be moved to the Masonic Care Community gymnasium located near the Administration building.

The Race: With record numbers of runners participating in both the 15K and 5K races, runners are urged to arrive at their respective start lines early. The course will be closing down to traffic at 6 AM. Bus transportation from the finish line to the 15K start line begins at 6 AM, ceasing at 7 AM. Participants are encouraged to park at locations near the start line. Bus transportation will be provided from the Post Race Party back to the start line until 1 PM.

Boilermaker Expo to Feature Marathoner and Author Dane Rauschenberg

See Dane Run by Dane Rauschenberg

UTICA, NY (June 28, 2010)- The 2010 Boilermaker Road Race will feature record holding marathon runner and author, Dane Rauschenberg. Rauschenberg will be speaking at the Boilermaker Expo on Saturday, July 10, in the Runners Forum tent at 11:00 AM. Rauschenberg will also be signing copies of his book entitled "See Dane Run," an autobiographical account of his successful attempt in 2006 to be the only person in the world to run 52 consecutive weekly marathons in one calendar year.

Rauschenberg swam in high school, played rugby in college, and was a golden gloves boxer in law school. He committed to run the record 52 marathons at the age of 29, as a relative novice of the sport, having run only six previous marathons in his lifetime. Rauschenberg worked towards a fund-raising effort called "Fiddy2," which raised over $44,000 for the Mobile, Alabama chapter of L'Arche, an organization which benefits the developmentally disabled.

Rauschenberg completed and competed in all 52 races, with an average time of 3:21. His fastest time of 2:59 came in his 42nd marathon.

Jefferson Schoolchildren Prepare Boilermaker Finisher's Pins

UTICA, NY (June 23, 2010)- The Boilermaker is not just for runners. It is a celebration that the whole community can participate in and enjoy. The children of Jefferson Elementary School in North Utica exemplify this.

Over the course of the past month the school's kindergarten students have partnered with Jefferson's fifth grade classes to prepare the Boilermaker finisher's pins. Just seven days before summer vacation, students remain excited about their task. "It's fun," Tway, a Jefferson fifth grader said with a smile as she removed a pin from its plastic and combined it with its paper backing. "You can make a competition out of it with other students." To date Jefferson's students have prepared 18,000 finisher's pins, supporting both the 15K and 5K runs.

"These children are touching every runner in this year's race," Boilermaker Executive Director Tim Reed said. "Every Boilermaker finisher will receive a pin that these students helped put together. These could potentially be the future participants of the Boilermaker and it is great to get them involved and excited about the race." 

Boilermaker Announces Winners of Anthem Contest

UTICA, NY (June 22, 2010) - The Boilermaker 15K Road Race has officially announced the winners of its Fifth Annual National Anthem Contest. Of the hundreds of members of the community who came out to participate, only nine individuals were chosen by a panel of local music professionals to perform at this year's Boilermaker events.

The top winner of 2010's contest is Katherine Malara of Boonville, who will have the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Boilermaker Post Race Party in front of a crowd of over 45,000 onlookers.

Eliza Giacobbe of New Hartford will sing the Anthem for the opening ceremonies of the Youth Olympics, as Andrew Marshall of Utica concludes the closing ceremonies. Tayler Kochan of Utica will open the Youth Run. Collin Davis of New Hartford will sing the Anthem for the 5K Run. Grace Riker of Bridgewater will sing the Anthem for the Volunteer Party, while Dorothy Gorczynski of Utica will sing for the 3-Mile Walk. Finally, Maria Rabbia of New Hartford will sing the Stars and Stripes for the Road Runner Mile. Cara Szeles of New Hartford has been chosen as an event alternate.

Boilermaker Partners with PUMA

Utica, NY (March 24, 2010) — The Boilermaker Road Race announced a strategic partnership with sportlifestyle brand, PUMA as the official footwear, apparel and accessories supplier of the 2010 Boilermaker 15K Road Race. The race, to be held in Utica, New York on Sunday, July 11th, features a weekend expo attended by nearly 40,000 people from across the Northeast. With an established and successful history since 1978, the Boilermaker 15K Road Race hosts at least 10,000 runners of every age and skill level and has grown to include fitness and special events throughout the weekend designer to promote an active and healthy lifestyle and fun community involvement.

"The Boilermaker was extremely impressed with PUMA's ability to enhance the runners experience both at the Expo and throughout the course,' said Tim Reed, executive director of the Boilermaker.

As the official supplier of footwear, apparel and accessories, all event volunteers will be wearing the latest gear from PUMA. Co-branded Boilermaker and PUMA apparel will be sold on-site and prior to the event for fans and participants. At the race, PUMA will debut the brand's newest Complete Running styles, the Vectana II and Velosis II. The Vectana II is the brand's latest stability shoe, while the Velosis II is a neutral trainer new for Fall 2010 season. The iconic PUMA Cat will be displayed prominently throughout the event, particularly at the high profile course start and finish areas. PUMA will also offer race participants and attendees a full brand experience with games, music, and prizes. PUMA's Speed Trap will also be on-site, giving runners a chance to compete to see who can run at the fastest speed.

"The Boilermaker is known for not only its competitive field but also for the experience they give their runners of all levels and PUMA is thrilled to join forces with them to provide a true PUMA Running experience to the fans and participants of this prestigious and fun event," said Tara McRae, Senior Director of Marketing for PUMA North America. "Partnering with a race of this caliber gives PUMA a unique opportunity to showcase our performance products, build buzz and excitement in a very PUMA way for the crowd."

Moody Blues Boilermaker Show

March 11 , 2010 (Utica, NY) — It was announced that the legendary MOODY BLUES would provide the grand finale to the 2010 Boilermaker weekend with a concert at 7pm Sunday July 11 at The Stanley.

Tim Reed, Executive Director of the Boilermaker said, "The Boilermaker is excited to partner with the Stanley offer a closing event for Boilermaker Week. The Moody Blues, like the Boilermaker, represent the best in class in their respective categories. Both have created life-long memories, established a dedicated fan base and have a proven ability to expand and grow over the long run. Many in the music industry have run the 50 yard dash of fame and faded from view; the Moody Blues have the stamina to still run 9.3 miles."

As a special incentive to Boilermaker participants and volunteers a special pre-sale will take place Friday March 12th-Thursday, March 18th. This will give you first availability to tickets prior to general admission sales commencing Friday, March 19th. Click on the Moody Blues logo above.

Boilermaker Plans January Events, Reduced Registration Fees

January 5, 2010 (Utica NY) — On Saturday, January 9, 2010 the Boilermaker Road Race will be celebrating the halfway point of the arrival of this summer's race.

From 8 a.m. to 12 noon, a special race registration event will take place at the Planet Fitness centers in the New Hartford Shopping Center and on Black River Boulevard, Rome. As an incentive to promote early sign-ups, $5 will be taken off registration fees for all events. Registrants will also receive a Planet Fitness jogging safety light. Additionally, new, select 2010 Boilermaker clothing will be available for purchase at the New Hartford location. Plant Fitness is the official sponsor of the Boilermaker Health and Fitness Expo held Boilermaker weekend.

"Let's face it, it's the start of a new year so many people are concentrating on their resolutions," said Tim Reed, Executive Director of the Boilermaker. "Many people vow to get back into shape, or perhaps, promise themselves that they will run the Boilermaker in July. We specifically chose to hold this event now because it is the half-way reminder until this summer's race. We encourage runners to begin training and catch the reduced fee at the same time."

The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display near the National Distance Running Hall of Fame/ Boilermaker offices near Downtown Utica. The fireworks will begin at approximately 5:45 p.m. launched from the parking lot of P.J. Green located on Whitesboro Street. The timing of the launch is to also celebrate The Mayor's Ball commencing at 6:00 pm.

For more information about the early sign-up on January 9, contact the Boilermaker Road Race at (315) 797-5838.