Boilermakers

What Boilermakers does

The Boilermaker Road Race, Inc. is a New York-incorporated nonprofit organization headquartered in Utica, New York, that has produced an annual road race since 1978—currently in its 48th running (2025). It operates a week-long event portfolio anchored by a flagship 15K (capacity 10,500 in 2025) and 5K (capacity 4,500), complemented by a wheelchair 15K, kids run, walk, youth Olympics, Erie Canal Races, a Health & Wellness Expo, and the Saranac Post-Race Party at F.X. Matt Brewing Company. All registration flows through the RunSignUp platform with tiered early-bird pricing and waitlists when caps are met.

Revenue is generated from five streams: race registration fees, multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Gold/Presenting through Media), charity-bib fundraising for partner nonprofits ($500 minimum per bib, ~$800K cumulatively since 2013), merchandise sales, and the post-race party. The organization serves four primary constituencies: road race participants (elite and recreational, including Olympians), corporate sponsors seeking regional brand reinforcement, partner nonprofits fundraising through the Charity Bib Program, and underserved community members reached through the Access Program and Community Garden. There is no proprietary technology product; the operating model is event-driven community programming under the leadership of President Mark Donovan and Race Director Jim Stasaitis (in role since 2008).

Name

Boilermakers

Legal name

Boilermaker Road Race, Inc.

Website

https://boilermaker.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Boilermaker Road Race is a Utica, New York-based nonprofit that organizes an annual 15K and 5K road race plus adaptive, youth, and community wellness programming, serving elite runners, recreational participants, corporate sponsors, and underserved Oneida County residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Road Race Events

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Road race events
• Nonprofit running organization
• Community fitness programs
• Corporate race sponsorships
• Charity fundraising runs

Headquarters

HQ city

Utica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Race Registration Fees: Revenue generated from participant registration fees for the 15K, 5K, Wheelchair, Kids Run, Walk, and virtual race events. Tiered pricing structure rewards early registrants with lower rates.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners at multiple tiers (Gold/Presenting, Silver, Bronze, Associate, Supporting, Media) provide financial and in-kind support in exchange for brand visibility, brand reinforcement with running community, and association with the prestigious annual event.
3. Charity Bib Program Fundraising: Runners raise minimum $500 for nonprofit partner organizations in exchange for free race bibs. The program has generated nearly $800,000 for local nonprofits since 2013, with $55,000 raised in 2024 alone.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of Boilermaker merchandise including commemorative shirts, finisher's medals, and other branded items through the Boilermaker Shop.
5. Saranac Post-Race Party: F.X. Matt Brewing Company hosts the iconic Saranac Post-Race Party at their brewery, featuring Utica Club beer. Revenue generated through beer sales and venue exposure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Boilermaker Road Race, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that organizes and hosts an annual multi-event running weekend in Utica, New York. Core offerings are the flagship 15K and 5K road races (presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Utica National Insurance Group, respectively), supported by the Wheelchair 15K, Kids Run, Boilermaker Walk, Health & Wellness Expo, Saranac Post-Race Party, and Erie Canal Races. Registration is sold through RunSignUp with tiered early-bird pricing, and ancillary offerings include charity bibs, corporate partnerships, youth programs, and community outreach (Access Program, Community Garden).

Product overview

The Boilermaker Road Race is a non-profit road race organization operating a multi-day running event in Utica, New York. The core portfolio centers on the flagship 15K Road Race (voted Best 15K in the USA) and the 5K Road Race, complemented by adaptive sports (Wheelchair 15K), youth events (Kids Run, Youth Olympics), and the Boilermaker Walk. Supporting the racing events are the Health & Wellness Expo, the Saranac Post-Race Party, and Erie Canal Races. Community outreach programs include the Access Program (providing free entries and footwear to underserved populations), the Charity Bib Program (enabling nonprofits to fundraise via race bibs), the Ted Petrillo Scholarship Program for local runners, and the Community Garden. The organization also facilitates multiple competitive challenges including the Corporate Cup, High School Challenge, and Police-Fire Competition. All events are coordinated through the PRRO Circuit and hosted at venues including Mohawk Valley Community College.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boilermaker 15K Road Race

Quantifiable outcome

• Has raised nearly $800,000 for local nonprofit organizations since 2013 through Charity Bib Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, supporting and minor.

• Excellus BlueCross BlueShieldflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Boilermaker 15K Road Race. Provides healthcare insurance services and supports the health and wellness mission of the event. Benefits include premier logo placement, event naming rights, and branding throughout race weekend.
• Utica National Insurance GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Boilermaker 5K Road Race. Regional insurance provider supporting community health initiatives. Benefits include presenting sponsor designation for 5K event, logo placement, and brand association with family-friendly race.
• Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Gold partner and host venue for Health & Wellness Expo, Kids Run, and Walk events. Provides campus facilities for Boilermaker Weekend activities including packet pickup and race staging.
• Saranac / F.X. Matt Brewing CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Founding sponsor and host of the iconic Saranac Post-Race Party. Provides Utica Club as official beer of the post-race celebration. The brewing company has been part of Boilermaker tradition since 1978.
• Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Health & Wellness Expo. Regional healthcare system supporting community health programming. Provides health and wellness information and resources during race weekend.
• WolfspeedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Access Program and Charity Bib Program. Technology/manufacturing company investing in community access to running. Supports free race entries and footwear for underserved communities.
• Slocum-Dickson Medical GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Boilermaker Walk. Healthcare provider supporting walking as a wellness activity. Partners on the non-competitive walking event that allows broader community participation.
• Sitrin Healthcare / STARS Adaptive SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsor of the Wheelchair Challenge, awarding racing wheelchairs to athletes who complete the 15K in under 2:15. Provides adaptive sports programming and specializes in racing chair fitting and support.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Youth Olympics. Major financial institution supporting youth fitness and community programs. Volunteers and employees direct games and activities for children ages 5-12.
• The Fountainhead GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Volunteer presenting sponsor providing support for the volunteer program. Supports the thousands of community volunteers who make Boilermaker Weekend possible.
• The Sneaker StoresupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner with Access Program to provide footwear and shoe-fitting for participants who cannot afford proper running shoes. Local specialty running store supporting community access to the sport.
• GPO Federal Credit UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of the Kids Run and High School Challenge. Financial institution supporting youth and educational athletics. Encourages young runners to participate in the Boilermaker experience.
• Townsend Media / Oneida County History CenterminorOthers · 1 January 2024Community partners for historical documentation and panel discussions on Boilermaker's history and evolution. Preserves and shares the event's cultural heritage with the community.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BOLDER Boulder: Memorial Day 10K in Boulder, CO with 50,000+ participants and a fellow PRRO Circuit stop. Directly comparable to Boilermaker as a long-standing mass-participation road race with strong sponsor portfolio, signature post-race festival, and community identity.
• Carlsbad 5000: 5K road race in Carlsbad, CA branded as the 'World's Fastest 5K.' Directly comparable as a mass-participation road race with deep sponsor ties, world-class competitive reputation, and signature distance-focused event identity.
• Crescent City Classic: Easter weekend 10K in New Orleans with 20,000+ finishers and PRRO Circuit membership. Directly comparable as a long-running mass-participation road race event with similar scale and sporting stature to Boilermaker.
• Atlanta Track Club: Nonprofit membership organization that operates the Peachtree Road Race (10K, 60,000+ finishers, the largest 10K in the world). Directly comparable to Boilermaker as a community-rooted nonprofit mass-participation road race with elite field, deep sponsor base, and year-round community programming.
• Gate River Run: Annual 15K road race in Jacksonville, FL — the same racing distance as Boilermaker and a fellow PRRO Circuit member. Directly comparable in format, scale (~20,000 runners), regional sponsor network, and elite competitive field quality.
• Cherry Blossom 10K Run: Annual 10K in Washington DC organized since 1973. Directly comparable as a long-running spring mass-participation road race with nonprofit structure, elite field quality, and a similar 'premier spring road race' brand positioning.
• Grandma's Marathon: Annual marathon and related races in Duluth, MN organized as a nonprofit community event since 1977. Comparable as a long-running, community-rooted nonprofit mass-participation race with multiple distances, sponsor portfolio, and regional economic impact mission.
• Cooper River Bridge Run: 10K race over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, SC with 30,000+ finishers and PRRO Circuit membership. Directly comparable as a mass-participation road race with strong sponsor base and recognition as among America's premier non-marathon road events.
• Pittsburgh Great Race: Fall 10K/5K road race in Pittsburgh, PA run since 1977. Comparable as a regional mass-participation road race with nonprofit underpinnings, multi-tier sponsor portfolio, and community health mission similar in scope to Boilermaker.

Broad incumbents

• Spartan Race: Global obstacle course race (OCR) series operating mass-participation events across multiple markets. Broadly comparable as a mass-participation endurance event operator with similar multi-tier sponsorship model, though offering obstacle vs. road-race format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Boilermaker15K
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Boilermaker15K
• Facebookfacebook.com/boilermaker15k
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boilermaker-road-race
• Instagraminstagram.com/boilermaker15k

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boilermakers