Last Year’s Boilermaker Winners Look To Defend Their Title
July 8, 2025 (Utica, NY) – John Korir has had quite the year since winning the 2024 Boilermaker 15K Road Race presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and this Sunday, he returns to the course to defend his title.
Since winning the Boilermaker, 28-year-old Korir has gone on to win both the Chicago Marathon this past October and the Boston Marathon in April. Keeping his hot streak alive, he is set to run this Sunday to see if he can beat his time of 42:11 set on the course last year.
Other athletes will no doubt be pushing the pace, including Wesley Kiptoo of Kenya, fresh off winning both the Gate River Run 15K in 42:10 and last year’s Bix 7. Also set to challenge Korir for the title this year, and fresh off a win at Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race just last weekend, is Patrick Kiprop of Kenya.
Last year’s Women’s Open winner, Grace Loibach Nawowuna, is also expected to make her return to the Boilermaker course this year. She faces stiff competition from 2025 Lilac Bloomsday Run champion Veronica Loleo, who set a record on their course this spring, and Rachel Chebet, who won last year’s Bix 7.
In addition to the international runners, this year’s Boilermaker features several American elites, all of whom are eyeing a spot on the podium. On the men’s side, Charles Hicks of Oregon who won the 2025 Cherry Blossom Race this spring and last year’s American Winner Biya Simbassa are both strong contenders for the field.
Last year’s American female winner, Annamaria Kostarellis of Rochester, is returning to defend her title, and local runner turned pro Jessie Cardin will also return this year for the 15K course.
The 2025 Boilermaker 15K is also proud to host the 28th PRRO (Professional Road Running Organization) Championship. This elite showdown brings together winners from some of the most prestigious non-marathon road races in the U.S., including the Gate River Run, Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, Bix 7, and Bloomsday Run. The winners from these races automatically qualify for the Super Bonus, as do those who have earned points from competing in multiple events. If a qualified runner wins the Boilermaker 15K on Sunday, they’ll take home the $20,000 Super Bonus, in addition to other prize money.
Last year’s Men’s Open Wheelchair Division winner, Canadian Josh Cassidy, is slated to return to defend his title for a third time but comes up against Utica’s own Hermin Garic. The 2025 Women’s Wheelchair Open Division will also see last year’s winner, Hoda Elshorbagy, return to the course.
In its third year, the Triple Crown Series (TCS) is a points-based championship series aimed at developing and growing the sport of wheelchair racing. The series combines the results of the Boilermaker 15K, the Peachtree 10K, Grandma’s Marathon, and the Cedartown 5K to crown a winner out of 34 participants. The top three across the five categories also receive additional prize money for competing.
“We have an incredible field of elite athletes for this year’s Boilermaker,” said Boilermaker Race Director Jim Stasaitis. “Every year on the second Sunday in July, Utica, NY, becomes the center of the road racing world. The ability of everyday runners to match up against the best athletes on the planet is something truly unique to our sport.”
Stasaitis noted the importance of spectators along the course for both the elite field and the amateur athletes as they navigate the streets of Utica.
“We’re hoping to see a full crowd line the streets of our course to share in the excitement this Sunday,” Stasaitis remarked. “Every year, professional athletes are amazed by the crowd support that they receive. It’s something that makes our race very unique and special.”
Recognized as the “Best 15K in the USA”, the Boilermaker Road Race is in its 48th year. The Boilermaker, a proud member of the PRRO Circuit, is the premier event of Boilermaker Weekend. The race consistently attracts elite runners from all over the world, including Olympians and world record holders, and features distance running’s most enthusiastic fans and the sport’s best post-race party, hosted by The F.X. Matt Brewing Company. To register for other Boilermaker events, visit the official Boilermaker website at boilermaker.com. Hotel accommodations and information about other local attractions can also be found on the site.
