• The Boilermaker Charity Bib Program has provided 10 local nonprofit organizations with race bibs to use for fundraising.

• Runners who wish to run on behalf of an organization must raise a minimum of $500 to receive their free bib.

• Runners are encouraged to contact partner organizations directly for more information.

UTICA, N.Y. (January 8, 2026) – The Boilermaker Charity Bib Program has announced its partners for the 2026 race season. After seeing record numbers of applications submitted by local nonprofit organizations, a third-party committee has selected 10 partners to receive race bibs to use in their fundraising efforts for 2026.

The Boilermaker Charity Bib Partners for 2026 are the Neighborhood Center, Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program (YSLPP) at Utica University, the National MS Society, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Abraham House, Grateful for Graham 5K and the EB Research Partnership, Mohawk Valley Latino Association, Project Purple, the Jaime Hawkins George Foundation, and HumaneCNY.

“Our 2026 Boilermaker Charity Bib Partners once again represent an incredible group of nonprofit organizations doing vital work in our communities,” said Boilermaker President Mark Donovan. “We are thankful to the committee members who reviewed the applications and to the runners who will choose to participate in this fundraising effort.”

Participants who run for an organization receive a free bib for the 15K presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield or 5K presented by Utica National Insurance Group, in-person or virtual, provided they raise a minimum of $500 for their selected nonprofit organization. Interested individuals can contact the organizations named above directly or contact the Boilermaker.

The Boilermaker Charity Bib Program began in 2013 as a way to give back to the community and provide a unique method of entry – and inspiration – to runners. Countless runners have taken on the challenge of running the Boilermaker, many motivated purely by their support of an organization or important cause. Over 13 years, the program has raised upwards of $800,000 for area nonprofits.

The Charity Bib Program is one of several Community Outreach Programs offered by the Boilermaker. The Access Program, which started in 2022, creates a pathway to participate in Boilermaker events for those with financial limitations, providing free entries and footwear to the underprivileged, underserved, and immigrant/refugee communities in Oneida County. The organization also has a Community Garden and offers youth fitness programming throughout the year.

For more information on how to participate on behalf of a 2026 Charity Bib Partner, please visit boilermaker.com.

A 2025 Boilermaker participant who ran for Project Purple shows her finisher’s medal and a photo of a relative affected by pancreatic cancer.