Today is Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and on this day in 1978, the first annual Boilermaker race was held in Utica, New York - a race that would grow to one of the biggest and most iconic 15Ks in the country.

In this episode we will learn about the radiator company that started it all, what that first race looked like back in '78, and then meet Joe Wilczynski, one of 7 athletes who has completed all 48 editions of the Boilermaker.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com.

Bibliography:

• Pitarresi, J. (2002), “Utica Boilermaker: America’s premier 15K road race”. North Country Books. Utica, Ny.

• https://uticaboilers.com/why-choose-us/company-history/

• https://www.wktv.com/news/boilermaker-founder-looks-back-on-46-years-of-race-history/article_9e98a256-1467-11ee-a772-67bdda303cbe.html

• https://www.romesentinel.com/boilermaker-2025-womens-15k-winner-veronica-loleo/article_eaa0ad7c-13d6-49e2-94fe-ee2277adba3a.html

• http://www.polymorphs.net/results/boilermaker/1978_boilermaker_res.html

• https://www.greatersyracusesportshalloffame.com/kathy-mills-parker

• https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/13089/IndividualResult/BHYq?resultSetId=566284#U107227411

• https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/local/2025/07/13/boilermaker-utica-2025-live-updates-race-winners/84510160007/

• https://foundationhoc.org/community-impact/community-impactinitiatives/donor-profile-earle-c-reed

• https://www.cityofutica.com/community/events/Boilermaker

• https://www.boilermaker.com//15k/#1666200824667-5ba3b48c-a350