UTICA - Boilermaker officials have announced that the Utica Police and Firefighter Competition of the Boilermaker Road Race will be named after Bob Ingalls, the former race director who died earlier this Summer after a year-long battle with cancer.

The New Balance sponsored event was created to inspire a healthy running rivalry between members of the Utica Police force and Utica Fire Department. Members of both departments train and compete for the title of Public Safety Champion of the city. During the 15K race, competitors don New Balance performance shirts with either UPD or UFD on their backs. The department with the five fastest Boilermaker 15K runners receives a traveling trophy and bragging rights until next year's race.

"We wanted to recognize Bob for all the hard work that he had put into the Boilermaker," said Tim Reed, executive director of the Boilermaker Road Race. "Naturally, this competition seemed liked the perfect fir."

Ingalls served with the Oneida County Sheriff's Department beginning in 1962 and was eventually promoted to Undersheriff of Oneida County.

The competition name will be known as The Bob Ingalls Utica Police & Firefighter Competition and will be officially announced at this year's Utica Police & Firefighter Competition banquet on Tuesday at the F.X. Matt Brewery.