40th Boilermaker: Uneventful and One of the Best Ever

It was the the most uneventful, eventful day as beautiful, perfect weather graced the 40th Boilermaker Road Race. No records were broken, but everything, including the race and the post race party, went off without a hitch.

There were no records broken. No major injuries or security incidents. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and there was not cloud in the sky.

Boilermaker President and CEO, Tim Reed said, "Things were uneventful in the security command center" at Sunday's 40th running of the Utica Boilermaker.  In other words, everything ran as smoothly as it possibly could.  "Even the medical tent was quiet," he added.

Temperatures in the 60's at race time, and well into the 70's during the post race party, made for perfect race conditions. Silas Kipruto of Kenya won the men's 15K with a time of 43:55.  Mary Wacera of Kenya won the women's 15K with a time of 49:18.  The top American finisher was Tim Ritchie of True Haven, Connecticut who placed 4th overall with a time of 44:13.

Joshua Farmer of New Hartford (pictured above) raced to the finish Line to win the Men's 5K Race with a time of 16:28. Cassia Hameline of New Hartford was the top female finisher, with time of 18:57. Daniel Romanchuk won the men's wheel chair race and Amanda McGrory won the women's race, both traveled from Illinois to compete. The Utica Fire Department outpaced the Utica Police Department in the Fire-Police Challenge.  New Hartford won both the boys and girls 15K High School Challenge and Whitesboro's boys and girls won the 5K High School Challenge.

While the results were being tallied, the Post Race Party was ramping up as more than an estimated 45,000 people jammed into the back lot of the F. X. Matt Brewery as Nick and Fred Matt toasted the crowd with their new official Boilermaker beer, Haus Lager. This year's party featured Grammy nominated Platinum and Gold recording artist, Maxine Nightingale, along with the band Showtime and musicians from Classified and Gridley Paige. "This is the best post race party ever," Nick Matt declared to the crowd.

According to the Boilermaker, nearly 20,000 people participated in this weekend's races including the walk, developmental run, 5K and 15K race and more than 5000 volunteers assisted in the event.

Check out these photos submitted to WIBX by photo journalist Nancy L. Ford.