Welcome to Boilermaker 101
*Take a look at the course map
*Top 10 Tips about the Race
*Boilermaker Medical Tips


Below is the course map
to give you an idea about the course.
You can go to www.boilermaker.com to see where all19 water stations are as well as elevation concerns (not too bad, this isn't Denver!)

Course Map

 

Course Map


Boilermaker Top 10

 

1 Don’t let anyone run with your race number. It can mess up the scoring and awards, and that makes people really mad. We want to make people really happy.
   
2 We worry about you, so please don’t start the race unless you have properly trained to run 9.3 miles. Heat and humidity can do terrible things to people, so terrible we won’t even mention them here.
   
3 Don't start the race unless you have a realistic expectation of finishing in under two hours. To be blunt, the Boilermaker is a run and you shouldn’t enter if you plan on walking most of the course. The finish line officially closes at 10:00 am. And please, absolutely no baby joggers on the course.
   
4 If you don’t drink enough water, blame yourself. More water than you have ever seen will be available near the starting line. Please help us get rid of it. There will also be water at every mile. The more you drink, the happier our medical staff will be. By the way, medical people will be positioned all along the course. Look for the blue EMS star at each officially marked Aid Station.
   
5 Get to the starting line EARLY. When 10,000 runners get together, it’s amazing how long it takes to find a place to park, a bathroom, or a friend. The race will start at exactly 8:00 am at the intersection of Culver Avenue and Broad Street. It will start even if you are still looking for a place to park, a bathroom, or a friend. The wheelchair start is 7:45 am.
   
6 Centro will provide free bus transportation between the start and finish line beginning at 6:00 am. Board the bus at the intersection of Court and Sunset Streets. The last bus taking runners from the finish line to the start line will leave at 7:15 am. But unless you like living on the edge, don’t wait for the last bus. Shuttle buses will take runners back to the starting area after the race. The boarding point is Columbia Street, behind the F.X. Matt Brewing Company parking lot. Shuttle bus service ends at 1:00 pm.
   
7 When you cross the finish line, stay in the chute you are directed to and keep walking. If you can’t continue to walk, we’ve got plenty of volunteers and they love being asked for help. We’ve also got a field hospital at the finish line. Don’t diagnose yourself. We’ve got experts to do that. At the end of the chute, we’ve got a Boilermaker finisher’s pin for you. Accept it with our sincere congratulations.
   
8 Because you might have questions, we will have an Information Booth set up in the Post Race Party area, which will be in the BACK parking lot of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company. Want to know about baggage, showers, transportation? Ask at the Information Booth. They’ve got the answers. By the way, we’ve established a family reunion area at the Post Race Party to make it easier for you to meet up with your family and friends.
   
9 The Post Race Party starts at 9:30 am and we have "Nik & The Nice Guys", a great band. Runners will get a free lunch and free beverages until noon. Spectators can also enjoy Saranac beer. Donations will go to the United Way of Greater Utica. Spectators may purchase lunch and beverages at any time. The awards ceremony will begin at 10:00 am. By the way, if someone celebrates too much, a free taxi ride home is available. Look for the TAXI sign.
   
10 Last, but far from the least, we’re happy that you are with us. We hope you have a good time during the race and expect you to have a good time after the race.

 BOILERMAKER MEDICAL TIPS
Boilermaker Medical Tips

When it comes to the medical teams, we’ve got the best. Our hope is that they will be bored on race day. You can help them stay bored by following a few simple steps.

Here is some advice from Dr. John J. De Traglia, the Boilermaker medical director, and Dan Brodel, EMS coordinator.

  • Drink enough water so that your urine is clear the night before the race. Drink one quart of water before the start of the race and drink at least one cup of water every 15 minutes during the race. That shouldn’t be a problem since there are 25 water stations on the course. But if you wait until you are thirsty, you will have waited too long.
  • Keep your cool. Run in the shade whenever possible. Dump cups of water on your head and run through water sprays.
  • Adjust your pace to suit the weather. Heat and humidity are your enemies. The higher they get, the slower you should run.
  • Wear light loose-fitting clothing.
  • No alcohol the night before the race.
  • There are first aid stations, marked by the blue EMS start, all along the course, at the finish line, and in the entertainment area. If you feel ill, ask for help. The early signs of heat injury include dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, headache, nausea, chills and goosebumps. If you experience any of those symptoms, stop and get help. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Don’t try to keep running. There’s always next year.
  • If you have any medical problems, or a family history of medical problems, or if you have any questions at all about your medical condition or your ability to compete, consult a physician prior to race day. Also, talk to your doctor if you are taking any medication.
  • Don’t start the race too fast. Run at your own pace. And don’t run faster than you trained for.
  • If you need medical assistance at one of our area hospitals and return to the finish area after 1 pm, your baggage will be at the Utica Police Station.
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