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Boilermaker Road Race

Sun July 12, 2026 Utica, NY 13501 US Directions

Donation

Boilermaker Community Outreach & Wheelchair Challenge

Did you know the Boilermaker operates as a small non-profit organization with just a few full-time staff?

Throughout its history, the race has not only grown into a beloved Central New York tradition, but one of the nation’s premier road racing events. It is also a powerful economic engine that generates millions of dollars for our region annually. Yet, what makes the Boilermaker truly special is its unending goal of seeking to make a difference in individual people's lives.

Outside of the second Sunday in July, the Boilermaker operates a portfolio of events and outreach endeavors such as:

  • Tends a community garden from which we donate the yield to a local free kitchen for the indigent
  • Free youth running events
  • A Youth Olympics event
  • College scholarships
  • The Access program developed to remove financial obstacles for the underprivileged to experience the Boilermaker in hopes they continue running for a healthier lifestyle
  • The Charity Bib program that has generated more than $800,000 for local charitable causes
  • The Wheelchair Challenge (see below)

At the core of all these activities lies the simple but powerful mission of improving and changing lives through physical activity. This is a mission we love and hope to continue for decades to come.

The Wheelchair Challenge (https://www.boilermaker.com/wheelchair-15k/) provides a brand new, custom fitted, racing wheelchair to the program participant that can complete the Boilermaker 15K in 2 hours and 15 minutes or less. Since 1997, over 35 racing wheelchairs have been awarded to the Challengers. The Boilermaker is the ONLY known road race in the world offering such a program.  In fact, the majority of road races do not even allow wheelchair athletes to participate. Several years back, a family donated a large sum of money to keep this unique program going. With rising costs driving up the price of these racing chairs, that funding is coming to its end & it is time to start soliciting donations to build that fund back up again. If you find this particular cause worthy of a donation, please use the "Custom Amount" option below to make your donation. All monies raised under the custom amount option will be directed solely to the Wheelchair Challenge.

The term "Boilermaker Spirit" has been used to describe the overwhelming positive energy that sweeps through our community each July. If you’ve ever felt this force or participated in it, we hope, if you can, you’ll consider a donation to help ensure the Boilermaker Spirit lives on for years to come.

Be a positive change agent in the community for decades to come.

Race founder, Earle C. Reed, always wanted the Boilermaker to help change people's lives in a positive way. For decades, the organization has striven to make a real difference in people's lives. By giving to the Boilermaker, you can help the organization continue to be a positive change agent in the community for decades to come.

Maybe you have been a perennial, consistent or casual runner. Maybe you have been one of the army of loyal volunteers. Maybe you have been one of the community's legion of spectators who have lined the course to cheer the runners on. Maybe you have been a longtime sponsor or general supporter of the organization. Whatever your connection to the Boilermaker is, your decision to make a financial donation is a very personal one and one that we greatly appreciate!

You can make arrangements for planned giving by joining the Boilermaker Legacy Society which is a great way to help secure the organizations future while protecting your assets and creating your own legacy all at the same time.

Boilermaker Legacy Society planned giving options include:

Bequests

Bequests offer one of the simplest ways to make a gift to the Boilermaker organization and create a personal legacy of a commitment to helping change people's lives in a positive way. Gifts by will or living trusts for the benefit of the Boilermaker may be for a set dollar amount, a percentage of the total estate, or the residual amount (funds leftover after all expenses have been paid).

Retirement Funds

Retirement plan assets (IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), etc.) offer another easy method for planned giving. The funds can be transferred at death to the Boilermaker by naming the Boilermaker as either the primary or contingent beneficiary of the account. As these funds are not distributed until your passing, they are not subject to estate tax or income tax, thus the entire balance passes to the Boilermaker.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity through the Boilermaker can provide you or a loved one with a reliable and consistent stream of income for life, while also benefiting the Boilermaker. Charitable gift annuities are easy to establish with gifts as low as $10,000, a portion of which may be deductible for income tax purposes. The amount of the annual payment is based on the age of the income beneficiaries at the time of the gift and the date when the payments begin. A portion of the resulting payment may also be tax free to the beneficiary. Annuity payments may begin immediately or may be deferred for a period of time as part of your retirement planning.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A charitable remainder trust is a more sophisticated way to contribute to the future of the Boilermaker and increase your current income. Charitable trusts allow you to transfer cash, securities, real property, or other assets into the trust. A unitrust provides a variable income based on a percentage of the value of the trust assets as determined each year. An annuity trust pays a fixed dollar amount each year to the income beneficiary. When either the unitrust or annuity trust terminates, the remaining assets in the trust are transferred to the Boilermaker.

Charitable Lead Trusts

A donor transfers property to the lead trust, which pays a percentage of the value of the trust assets, usually for a term of years, to the Boilermaker. At the end of the trust term, the remaining assets in the trust and any growth it has realized are passed to heirs. Although there is no income tax deduction when you create a charitable lead trust, your gift or estate tax is greatly discounted. It is one of the only transfer devices currently used that can discount the value of the original assets and result in little or no taxes. At the same time, you achieve your charitable goals for the Boilermaker.

Life Insurance

With respect to life insurance, your needs change over time. The ownership and beneficiary designation of funded life insurance policies can be transferred to the Boilermaker. A gift of a current policy may also enable the donor to turn a monthly premium into a tax free charitable gift.

Retained Life Estates

Receive a large deduction by donating a residence, vacation home, or farm while retaining the right to live there for life. The gift is made by transferring the ownership of the property to the Boilermaker now while you are living, and you retain the right to use the property for life. The donor receives a current income tax deduction for the gift that can be used to reduce one's current taxable income.

* Note: Prospective donors considering some form of a charitable planned gift to the Boilermaker should consult with their financial or tax adviser

Giving that reflects your values now and for the future. For details about giving
options, please contact the Boilermaker at (315) 731-3700.

Top Donors

$3,751 Raised By 207 Donors

$150 on behalf of Mark Murphy
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$100 on behalf of Brooke Clark
$100 on behalf of Daniel Shand
$100 from Anonymous
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$50 on behalf of Amanda Coffey
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$1 on behalf of Brian Thomson
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