Utica’s famous road race, the Boilermaker, is just around the corner, gearing up for its 48th year. What began as a 15K road race with a little fewer than 900 runners is now a week-long extravaganza drawing more than 20,000 runners, spectators and volunteers.

“So, this one here says 45 in a row, five more to go. My goal is to do 50,” said Rick Watkajtys, who’s one of seven "perennial" runners who has been running the Boilermaker since its inaugural year in 1978. “Pretty amazing; you gotta be pretty lucky. You gotta wake up on race day not sick, not injured and toe the line, as they say, and try to make the whole way around."

At Boilermaker Park, there is a replica of the race course throughout the city. 

“I got home. My wife did not attend the first race, it’s the only one she ever missed. She said 'how’d it go?' I said 'wow, it was great.' I said 'there were people cheering, there was a big group of runners,'” said Larry DiCesare, who has also run the race every year since the beginning.

He said as he gears up for his 48th race, it’s a time for reflection. 

“My parents, who are no longer alive; my wife, who’s no longer alive. I ran with my kids when they were younger, and now my grandkids run the kids race. You know, maybe they’ll run the big race someday, who knows? Wouldn’t that be great?” said DiCesare. 

It’s the community and volunteers that have kept the race going and afloat during and after the pandemic. 

“This is a unique town. The people are very interested in the community. So we’ve got 2,000 people that show up Boilermaker week and the tasks they do range from heavy lifting, putting up trusses, taking down trusses, painting start lines,” said Mark Donovan, Boilermaker president.

He said runners will be coming from 48 different states and 10 countries. 

“We’ll have 15,000 runners. That’s 15,000 stories. Why are they here? Why are they running? Some do it for health and wellness. Some were hardcore runners. It’s endless,” said Donovan. 

Watkajtys and DiCesare are the two out of seven perennial runners left. As they get ready to lace up their shoes for another race, it’s not about a perfect time, but just enjoying every lap. 

“Finish the race, don’t get hurt and have fun,” said DiCesare.