UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - At this point last year, many of the world's top distance runners had already made their committment to run in the Boilermaker Road Race. This year...not so much.

Elite runners coordinator Dick Mattia is having trouble finalizing his list. "It's a combination of visas, it's a combination of injuries, world games...things have been constantly changing." Mattia said. As of Tuesday, there's still no confirmation that defending champions Terefe Maregu and Ashu Rabo Kasim, both of Ethiopia, will return.

Mattia is hoping that once Saturday's Peachtree Road Race wraps up, more runners will committ to Utica.