Utica Boilermaker post-race party brings double excitement in its return to 'normal'
That first sip of water —or beer— after finishing the Boilermaker felt extra refreshing for participants this year. At the Post Race Party on the grounds of F.X. Matt/Saranac Brewery at 811 Edward St. thousands gathered for the first time in three years to celebrate athletic accomplishments, but also the Boilermaker's return to normality.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the race virtually in 2020 and it returned in October 2021 in an adjusted format with only registered runners able to attend the after party.
The party, which started at 8 a.m., quickly became crowded with participants joining their families, friends and visitors for one of Utica's biggest parties featuring the band Showtime. While there were no food trucks this year, participants regained strength with snacks, fruits, granola bars and cheese and, as always, there was free beer for everyone.
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At 88 years old, Daniel Wellner, can't count how many times he's run the Boilermaker. A veteran marathoner —the last one was the New York City Marathon when he was 83— Wellner traveled from Hillsdale, Columbia County, to participate in the 5K with his friend Harriett Kang.
Wellner said he keeps coming back because "it's so much fun."
"This is just the greatest race, I mean if we hadn't finished, just running this course is wonderful, with the people the crowds, the bands and everything else," said Kang, who ran her first Boilermaker in 1999 and later convinced Wellner to do it. "This is a party with a race attached."
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Some participants took the race to the next level and ran in unique costumes such as Gardner A. Walker, from Remsen, who ran his first 5K all while dressed as Forrest Gump with his wife, Sarah Walker, as Jenny Curran cheering him on from the sidelines with a sign that read "Run Forrest Run."
What started as a Halloween costume turned into Gardner's Boilermaker outfit, he said, adding he looked forward to all "the attention."
A superhero Thor costume was also seen as well as Mike Hayduk from Clinton, who ran the 15K dressed as a Utica Club can, which has become a tradition of its own.
"It was fun, it was my slowest one, but it was my most fun one," Hayduk said. "We all ran together, we had a great time, people handed us beers, it was the most fun I've ever had."
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Hungry runners and visitors lined up at Utica's Polish Community Club tent where club Vice President Ela Pawlowski and other volunteers served potato and cheese pierogis and kielbasa in what is now an annual tradition for the club at the Boilermaker. Pawlowski said being able to hold the pierogi sale at the Post Race Party makes her emotional, but especially, seeing people coming from all around the country and the world to visit Utica again.
"It's absolutely amazing energy. They love the food. They love the authenticity that we have here in the Utica area," she said. "Well, we have to eat, right? So the best way is to get your carbs right after a big run like this nothing better than a homemade pierogi."
Having knee issues didn't stop New Hartford resident Anup Rustagi from running his first Boilermaker Sunday.
"Really amazing, all the atmosphere, people cheering from the sides, I mean everything makes it really worth it," he said.
Helicopters made an appearance above the Boilermaker after-party at 10 a.m. as the National Anthem was sung. For army veteran James Carrabba from Morris, NY, this Sunday's race had a special meaning as he ran the 15K for the ninth time with an American flag on his shoulder. During his time deployed in Iraq, he said he ran a similar race.
Inspired by his friend Carrabba, Robert Wansor of Norwhich started running with the flag as part of the New York Run for the Fallen.
"Freedom is not free and because of that and the appreciation I've developed through the years of people that have given their lives," Wansor said, "I run with the flag to honor and remember them and that's what this flag is about."
Maria M. Silva covers food, drink and culture in the Mohawk Valley for the Observer-Dispatch. Email her at mariamsilva@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica Boilermaker: Thousands gather at Saranac Brewery after-party
