The Boilermaker 15K Road Race was established in 1976 by Earle C. Reed. Reed was looking for a way to give back to the community that had supported his family's business, Utica Companies (ECR International). The race began with just over 800 runners and a budget of $750. Now in its 30th year, the Boilermaker is the largest 15K in the Nation with almost 11,000 runners.

For five years consecutively, the Boilermaker 15K Road Race has been named the largest 15K in the nation. Each year, the race attracts top elite runners from all over the world, Olympians and world record holders.

The Analytic Distance Runner shows the men's Boilermaker field as the most competitive in the world for '96, '97, and '98, and the women's field as most competitive for '97 and '98.