Boilermaker runners hit the streets Sunday. Here’s the schedule, record-setting history

UTICA - The Boilermaker Road Race has its participants back on course this weekend - the tradtional one that was modified last summer and produced record times for men and women.

The 47th edition of the run will also lack the running conditions many described as "ideal" last summer when temperatures peaked in the upper 60s. Sunday's forecast has temperature starting there and climbing.

Ethiopian runner Jemal Yimer Mekonnen broke his own year-old record by running 15 kilometers in 42 minutes and six seconds, taking 32 seconds off his 2022 record set when he was the first runner since 2010 to break 43 minutes, and beat Kenyan Joseph Kimani's 1996 record by two seconds.

First-time women's champion Jesca Chelangat completed the course in 47:33 to break the 2010 record set by fellow Kenyan Edna Kiplagat. No woman had gone under 48 minutes since Kiplagat set the mark at 47:57 with her lone Boilermaker win.

Mekonnen and Chelangat were running a course minus a climb near the final major turn off Champlin Avenue onto Whitesboro Street. Road construction briefly steered 2023 runners onto Caroline Street and Kellogg Avenue on a course that started 106 feet further back last year.

More:Will there be beer at the Boilermaker Post-Race Party?

American runners Stephen Rathbun and Savannah Boucher won the pandemic-delayed 2021 race after the 2020 edition was canceled, and they were the first domestic 15K winners since 1991 for the men and 1990 for the women.

In this weekend's heat, the 19 water stations on the course will likely be busy, and 34 aid stations are in place to assist runners in physical distress.

Oppressive heat and tornado warnings connected with the passing of the remnants of Hurricane Beryl prompted the cancellation of Thursday's scheduled Boilermaker Youth Olympics in Proctor Park.

More:Weather looking like 'a typical summer day' for Boilermaker

Friday and Saturday bring the Health and Wellness Expo at Mohawk Valley Community College's Jorgensen Center where runners will pick up their bibs and race packets. The college will also host the Boilermaker Walk on Saturday as the start and finish of courses covering one, two, three and 3.75 miles through city parks.

And, of course, the post-race party will take place on the grounds of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company where the race concludes Sunday morning - and there will be beer. The party also features live music with water, chocolate milk and soft drinks available as alternatives to Utica Club for runners, their families and spectators.

The featured 15K run is the third race to start Sunday morning following 7:15 a.m. 5K run, and 7:45 a.m. wheelchair event. The long run starts promptly at 8 a.m. from Culver Avenue.

More:Boilermaker is back: Here’s what you need to know about parking, registration and more

New Hartford teen Casey Malloy won the 5K last year while Ashley Rathbun, Stephen's wife, was the women's champion.

Canadian Josh Cassidy won his third wheelchair title in 2023 while Jenna Fesemyer was the top female from Indiana. The women have never had an international winner.

Runners registered for the 15K and wishing to switch to the 5K may do so at the Health and Wellness Expo. Transfers are limited and may not be changed back.

Correction

The Expo, held at the Jorgensen Center on Sherman Drive, will take place Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. A story in Wednesday’s Observer-Dispatch contained erroneous information.