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Press Release

The 2026 Boilermaker Sees New Records Set

The Women’s Open Division and Women’s Master Records Were Both Broken At The 49th Boilermaker Road Race

July 12, 2026 (Utica, NY)- The women were setting the records at this year’s Boilermaker Road Race 15K presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The Boilermaker Women’s Open Record has been set today by Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia. With a time of 47:29, she edged out the previous record of 47:33 set by Edna Kiplagat back in 2023. Also setting a new record in the Women’s Master’s Division was Priscah Cherono of Kenya at 48:15, who crushed the previous record of 49:11 by Edna Kiplagat of Kenya. 

A new champion was crowned in the Men’s Open Division as Alex Matata of Kenya pulled ahead of the pack heading up Master Garden Road just after mile 4, finishing in 42:24, nearly 30 seconds faster than second-place winner Kiprono Sitruk of Kenya. 

Reid Buchanan of Kansas City, Missouri, placed as the American champion, finishing the race in 43:38 and placing fourth overall. On the women’s side, Stephanie Bruce from Flagstaff, AZ placed as the first American woman with a time of 50:40.

Canadian Josh Cassidy won for the second year in a row, posting 33:24 to edge his 34:50 from last year. For her third win in a row, Hoda Elshorbagy of Illinois won the women’s wheelchair division in 41:51. 

20-year-old Thomas River of Carlisle, MA, won the 5K Road Race presented by Utica National in 16:19. Dorcas Huang, of Philadelphia, PA, won the women’s open division of the 5K at 18:04. 

This year’s 15K race saw 9118 finishers, with 4204 crossing the finish line for the 5K, up from 8640 and 3970, respectively, in 2025. 

“With incredible weather and event records being set, it was a perfect day,” said Mark Donovan, Boilermaker president. “Looking ahead to the 50th year of the Boilermaker Road Race set for 2027, the energy of this year is sure to carry us through.”