boilermaker postponed to september

boilermaker postponed to September

Which has run the second sunday in july since its inception, is postponed until spetember 13th because of the coronavirus pandemic.

With 20 thousand participants.

And tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers.... race officials had to make a call.

Newschannel two's brent kearney is live at the finish line... after hearing from organizers about what went into making the decision.

Well kristen what i can tell you its a decision that wasnt made lightly.

Race president mark donovan said that so far over 11 thousand people registered for this year's race.

Its a decision that organizers say will bring a list of logistical challenges.

"we had a pretty robust playbook but we did not have a section on handling a global pandemic."

Like many of us.... boilermaker organizers are readjusting to life in this global pandemic.

"we are learning in real time that picking up this thousand piece puzzle that we call the boilermaker and setting it down 60 days later has its challenges."

Challenges include volunteer and runner availability.

And choosing a date.

The old forge marathon is the day before...september 12th.

The boston marathon is the day after....september 14th.

"we determined that it was more important to be good neighbors to our local friends than about losing some runners to a race like boston marathon."

But boilermaker is not just race dy.

It's a fullwen expo and kids run and more.

"we will also be spending the requisite time to work on the balance of the logistics involved and determining what we may or may not be able to do regarding the other boilermaker events.

Obviously mvcc is back in session so we will see if that is feasible.

So far 11,500 runners registered for this year's race.

Organizers are giving those runners options.

-run on the new date.

-get a refund.

-defer registration to next year.

-donate the registration fee to the boilermaker.

If you've already signed up...you have until april 30th to make your choice.

Registration for the new date will resume on may first.

"now whether we like it or not, we are at the mercy of this pandemic.

This is still a very critical period in or eforts in stopping itssprd the race this year.

Coming up on newschannel two at six..... a group of runners that may (not( be crossing this finish line this year.

Live in utica brent kearney news channel 2 we will be shifting the newschannel two