Boilermaker 15K Road Race - Run15k

1st 5k: 27:17

This was like trying to run through a crowded amusement park! Because of my bib color I was 6 minutes back from the starting line, about halfway back in a crowd of 11,000. The first few miles I ran on the grass to the side of the road just passing by people, people and more people. I felt like I might be taking it a little to fast because I was passing everyone, but by the time I hit 5k I realized I was just running workout pace! I felt good though, so I tried to speed it up. Mile two to three had tons of bands and international music about every 100-200 yards. It is definitely a different experience!

2nd 5k: 53:27 (26:10)

The end of mile three and most of mile four are spent on a gradual incline up and through a golf course - the bands thin out a little and the road narrows a bit. The hill itself isn't terribly steep but it goes on and on for a loooong time. I continued to pass people in an attempt to find my ideal race pace. The exit from the golf course was an equally long and gentle downhill.

3rd 5k: 1:18:11 (24:44)

I felt pretty good still by the time I reached the 10k mark, so I pushed it a little harder on the last 5k. The crowd size increased, with more bands, dj's and music. The sun was out in full force - some people were spraying water all over the place for us to run through! I was getting hot but it was manageable. I really pushed the last mile to an all out sprint for the last .3 - I felt ready to collapse as soon as I crossed the finish line.

All in all - this is the first time I have run this far. I feel like it was wise to treat it like a long training run, although I'm sure I could shave off some time by starting out a little harder. I'm proud that I made it all the way without stopping and that I was able to negative split! Next year, after more experience, I will have a time to beat and plenty of opportunity to race this well.

Walked several hundred yards while picking up and drinking a 12oz squelcher, two vitamin water bottles and a saranac beer! Stretched out and located my friends - who happen to be much faster than I, so they were already at our meeting spot. Hung around for a while and sampled all the free stuff, left when the fireworks started.


I haven't been training to 'race' this. It is further than any of my training runs this far. I have been paranoid about running injury, so I have been increasing distance very slowly and did not want to kill myself on race day. Could I have gone faster? Yes! How much faster could I have gone without injuring myself? I don't know.


This race is something to see - there are just SOOOO many people running. 11,000 for the 15k and 5,000 for the 5k. There are over 6,000 volunteers and fans line the entire course, encouraging you on. There were tons of bands and dj's, and 26 water stations along the way.

It is a big race! I found it to be well organized, and there is a heck of a post race party afterwards - free beer for everyone! There also were a ton of goodies to get, and a plethora of free food. I feel my race registration fee was put to good use!