Boilermaker makes changes to events surrounding road race

There will be a few new wrinkles for the Utica Boilermaker Road Race this year.

While the venerable 15-kilometer race itself will remain unchanged when the gun goes off July 13, there will be modifications to a couple of other events and the addition of a one-mile run.

Officials also expect a visit from New York City's Achilles Track Club and to resurrect the National Distance Running Hall of Fame induction.

"I think what it means is more participation," said Tim Reed, who took over as the race's executive director in October and presided over the race committee's first official meeting of the year Friday at the Stanley Theatre.

"Let's get people involved in more events so they can say they are part of the Boilermaker," he said.

Reed announced the creation of an invitational mile run on the Parkway the Wednesday before the Boilermaker, and said the walk conducted the day before the big race will be reduced from 8 kilometers (just short of 5 miles) to 3 miles to encourage participation. Also, a food court will be created at the Masonic Home for the two days before the race.

Reed said the invitational mile, "The Road Runner Mile," will be sponsored and televised by Time Warner Sports. He hopes to draw some of the top collegiate and scholastic runners in the area for a run down the Parkway, ending at the Parkway Recreation Center.

"I think it is a picturesque venue for it," he said.

Shortening the walk should bring some older people into the race, he said, and will make it easier on those who do the walk and then run the next day. About 1,000 people participated in the walk last year, and Reed thinks that number can swell considerably.

"It's the biggest area where we can grow what we call 'The Boilermaker Experience,'" he said.

Reed also said he hoped to have the area's ethnically diverse restaurants take part in the food court concept.

The Boilermaker 15K drew 12,512 entrants and had 10,882 finishers for the 30th annual race last year, both race records. Reed said he would be perfectly comfortable with lower numbers this year, but said it hasn't been decided whether there would be a cap on entrants.

The Hall of Fame induction, which had taken place at the Stanley for a number of years but hasn't happened in recent years because of conflicts and other problems, will move to the Masonic Home. It will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

"We're trying to make it more people-friendly," said Mary McEnroe of the Hall of Fame. "People won't have to leave the Expo, and they can be right there for the induction."

The Hall of Fame will chose a male, a female and an historic figure with the selections to be announced during Boston Marathon Weekend next month. The Hall of Fame, located on Lower Genesee Street near Oriskany Street in Utica, conducted its first induction in 1998 and now has 30 members.

Observer-Dispatch