Boilermaker: The Brewery

"Boy 9.3 miles is quite a payment for a free beer." And for 34 years every runner to cross the finish line at the F.X. Matt Brewery is paid in an ice cold beverage. Executive Director Tim Reed says the race would not be the same without the brewery. Reed says, "Quite simply the race would not have gotten to the place of where it is today if you didn't have the brewery. You know you look at what happens with that post race party, that's one of the signatures of this race." Nick Matt says, "The post race party is kind of a high light and it's unique. I know I had a friend that ran a race down in Connecticut and he was very disappointed because he got down there and they didn't have a party afterwards. He said, 'why would you bother to run the race?' but in any case. The Boilermaker is a special event and we're just delighted to be a part it."

Not many communities can say they have a brewery, let alone the second oldest in the nation and it's become an envy to many other races. Reed added, "I mean how many places can say they've got a local brewery and then be able to say we've got a race that ends there. When I talk to other race directors about that it just blows their minds"

The brewery says it's glad to be a part of this event but even more so because of what it means to the community. "I think that if you talk to runners they'll tell you that each year it's better than the last and that's what makes it so special. It's a real highlight for this community and I mean if Utica New York could be 365 a year what it is on Boilermaker Sunday this would be a special place."