![]() ![]() In the years before that, because we could, we would buy 19,000 pins, 19,000 medals … and hoping based on history folks would come. “We’re not where we were in 2019 heading into 2020. That move actually helped us with that program called PPP (Paycheck Protection Program),” Donovan said, also noting the Employee Retention Credit helped. We survived because the organization went from all volunteers to a not a huge paid staff, but four full-time and some part-time. Transparently, we survived with the loyalty and support of the sponsors over time. ![]() He said the organization is “in a decent spot” in terms of finances now. ![]() It just makes it bigger,” he said. “Those are the biggest things we’ll do in the next couple months.”Ĭoming out of the pandemic and the challenges it created, Donovan previously said that took financial toll on the Boilermaker. 5,000 more doesn’t make the Boilermaker better. It is all about the experience for every one of them. I wouldn’t be shocked if next year we’re not at least in some double-digit percentage growth.”ĭonovan said he wasn’t sure if the races necessarily need more participants, though. … Then it is little bit of a dart board of what is the right number that he can physically afford to do and grow it. That gives us an indication that there is more demand out there. We had about 1,000 people that hit the wait list for the 15K. This year, we were about 18% up from last year, which is fantastic. “We had tremendous response this year,” he said. “The caps were set because we’re in a position where we have to buy for our need and not buy for our hope in terms of supplies. Given the registration numbers, would Boilermaker officials bump up the caps for 2024?ĭonovan said that will be a discussion, but he could see the caps going up. Otherwise, he said, things went “picture-perfect smooth.” “Plus, we had some fair-weather runners that may not have wanted to chance the rain (and weather).” But, that’s the way we’re seeing it in all the races across the country,” Stasaitis said Monday. There were a total of 2,497 no-shows for the race, which is about 19%. In the 5K, 3,795 were registered – there was a cap of 3,500 – and 3,125 finished. ![]() In the 15K, 8,800 people were registered following a registration cap this year of 8,500. Longtime Boilermaker Race Director Jim Stasaitis said Sunday was an exciting day. We’re very fortunate, blessed and appreciative of that support.” “Races of our size are typically doing battle with their cities. “Logistics, security and medical: Boilermaker is the envy of the road race industry,” Donovan said. Support from the city, state and federal levels has also been crucial for the Boilermaker, he said. That’s how we’re going to get them back.” Everything we do is to make that experience better. “Let’s face it: These people come (to Utica) for the experience. “The support we get is phenomenal,” said Donovan, acknowledging the assistance from the Boilermaker’s support staff, countless volunteers as well as more than 70 sponsors. The other Boilermaker-related events during the weekend: The expo, walk and Kids Run and post-race party were well attended.Īlso contributing to a more familiar Boilermaker: Donovan noted the entertainment acts along the course skyrocketed from about 70 in 2022 to 273 on Sunday. “The crowds: As I’ve been saying for the last couple of weeks, those are the people we don’t have direct communication to. It was the Boilermaker,” Donovan said Monday morning during a post-race news conference at Boilermaker’s headquarters just steps away from the finish line on Court Street. See photos from the Boilermaker Road Raceīecause of concerns and challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Boilermaker was scrapped and the last two years were altered in various ways. Those aspects helped contribute to make for a familiar feeling for Mark Donovan, who has been the Boilermaker President since 2018. Though there was some threat of heavier rain for a time, an overcast morning with temperatures in the high 60s at race start helped make for a record-shattering day and a repeat overall winner in Jemal Yimer. UTICA - More than 10,000 total people participated in the Boilermaker Road Race 15-kilometer and 5K during the 46th edition of the event.Īnd, thousands more people lined Utica's streets to root on the elite athletes as well as family and friends in the city’s premier summer sporting event on its traditional second Sunday in July. ![]()
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