Thousands of runners are expected in Utica this weekend for the 34th Boilermaker Road Race.
This year, 13,000 runners will take part in the 15K race through the streets of Utica on Sunday. A record number of runners are expected to take part in the 5K portion.
The Boilermaker has been a Utica tradition since 1978, but it attracts runners worldwide.
"We have somebody coming from China this year, Australia, Pakistan, as well as Kenya and some of the other countries," says Boilermaker PR Director Mary MacEnroe. "It's amazing that they come here to Utica, New York, and to see the pride in the community."
For runner in the Utica area, the Boilermaker is something they look forward to all year. Businesses also look forward to the weekend for all of the people the race brings in to the area.
Saranac is providing 250 kegs for the after-race party.
"This is probably the biggest event that we do all year long," says Saranac marketing coordinator Meghan Fraser. "It's a time when we have about 40,000 people in our back parking lot, and we certainly can't say that every week.
Friday and Saturday, runners can pick up their race information at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Masonic Care Community in Utica.
The 15K starts at 8 AM Sunday morning.
