When the Mohawk Valley Health System Expo kicked off at noon Friday, the grounds of Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica were already a sea of people showing up to claim their race bibs, uphold community tradition and connection, feel a return to normalcy after two years of the coronavirus pandemic and immerse themselves in all things Boilermaker.

Event volunteers said the number of runners was down this year from pre-pandemic figures, but they expected over 3,000 roadracers (a mix of 15K, 5K and the wheelchair division) to pick up their bibs on Friday and more on Saturday.

Among them, picking up a bib for the 15K run was Melissa Tibbits from Whitesboro.

This year, Tibbits raised $500 in pledges and is running for the charity “On My Team 16” which provides a variety of supports for pediatric oncology patients in Central New York, Tibbits said.

More information on the charity can be found online at: https://www.onmyteam16.com/

At one time, the charity assisted Tibbits’ son, Nick Calandra, who at 12 was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and was hospitalized for a month after surgery. 

The charity treated Calandra, now 18, to New York Knicks basketball tickets and other creature comforts during his recovery, his mom remembered.

“Now it’s our turn to give back,” Tibbits said.

Tibbits, now in her 10th year running the race, gave some simple advice to first time runners. 

“Train,” she said. “Drink a lot of water.”

Among those running in the 5K for the first time will be Bree McDonald from Syracuse.

How does she think she will do?

“My friends are doing it … I’m gonna try,” she said with humor.

Saturday at the Expo

In addition to picking up race information, Boilermaker fans and runners can also purchase official Boilermaker merchandise in the Boilermaker store at the Expo, shop for running equipment from a range of vendors or sample food items from sponsors and food vendors.

More information on the Expo, which continues Saturday, can be found online here: https://www.boilermaker.com/events/expo.php

A bit of Expo history

According to Boilermaker history, the first Expo was held at Riverside Mall from 1978 – 1996. Runners would pick up their packets at Riverside Mall and be able to visit Expo booths in the mall’s main corridor. Volunteers would gather prior to the Expo and pack the race packets and goody bags in a vacant store.

In 1997, the Expo moved to the grounds of the Masonic Care Community. In 2012, the Expo moved to Mohawk Valley Community College and typically includes events and activities all around the campus.

Creating memories

Among booths at the Expo is a spot to purchase an engraved commemorative brick to be placed at Boilermaker Square at Butler Park, across from the F.X. Matt Brewery and the Saranac Post Race Party.

The park — a scaled down replica of the course outline — is a way for the roadrace community to remember a runner, a volunteer or a loved one, explains Boilermaker staffer, Lou Matrulli.

“Twenty-five years ago, a committee wanted to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the roadrace by doing something special,” Matrulli said.

After brainstorming, the project materialized for future generations of Boilermaker enthusiasts.

For more information about the park, visit: https://www.boilermaker.com/store/brick.php