My CAN-ETH-KEN Games 15km

Going into the Utica Boilermaker 15km I knew it was going to be tough just to crack the top 10. In 2009 I finished 8th and was happy with that result. The field looked really deep this year but I really wanted to improve on 8th and shoot for top 5. I ended up 8th again and ran 44:34, 45 seconds faster than 6 years ago.

Once again it was hot on race day however this time I fully understood the nature of the hill from 4.5 to 6.5km. I knew if I wanted a shot at top 5 that I needed to be in the mix at the top of the hill. There was a pack of about 15 going into the hill and by the top the group was splintered and I was in 6th place. On the downhill I lost a few places and was 10th by the bottom.

I underestimated the guys I broke on the hill and figured I would catch them again once it flattened out. That didn’t go as planned. They were running in a pack and I was chasing alone. On a couple of occasions one guy would fall off and I would pass him. In the final kilometre I was closing-in but it was too little too late. Perhaps I got within 5-6 seconds of them but lost a little in the last bit when they kicked for the line.

The race reminded me of when I used to start a track season and be able to chop off a good chunk of time from my first outing. Being in that unfamiliar zone I found myself not knowing how hard I could actually press. It’s a good place to be in right now, although it makes me want to race another shorter race. I was tempted to race again soon but, it’s time to start increasing the volume and looking towards a Fall marathon.

The Utica Boilermaker is a really fun race. Located in upstate NY about an hour East of Syracuse the race attracts 17,000 runners. The race finishes by Saranac Brewery and there is a massive party afterwards with over 10,000 people. They conduct the awards in between music acts on a stage in back of the brewery. The whole race sees big, enthusiastic crowds lining the roads. Check it out one year if you haven’t yet.

PLACE NAME TIME PACE RESIDENCE
————————————————————————————————————
1 Eliud Ngetich 43:31 4:41 Kenya
2 Lani Rutto 43:59 4:44 Kenya
3 Belete Assefa 44:01 4:44 Ethiopia
4 Teshome Mekoen 44:07 4:44 Ethiopia
5 Isaac Mukundi Mwangi 44:24 4:46 Kenya
6 Yitayal Atanfu 44:25 4:46 Ethiopia
7 Mengistu Tabor Nebsi 44:26 4:46 Ethiopia
8 Reid Coolsaet 44:34 4:47 Canada
9 MacDonard Ondara 44:57 4:50 Kenya
10 Linus Chumba 45:11 4:51 Kenya
11 Fernando Cabada 45:13 4:51 USA
12 Masakazu Fujiwara 45:15 4:52 Japan
13 Moses Kipkosgei 45:20 4:52 Kenya
14 Solmon Deksisa 45:50 4:55 Ethiopia
15 Gilbert Kiptog Chepkwo 46:15 4:58 Kenya
16 Ahmed Osman 46:17 4:58 USA
17 Ryosuke Fukyama 46:24 4:59 Japan
18 Tyler McCandless 46:38 5:01 USA
19 Ryan J. Place 47:03 5:03 Cambridge MA
20 Nicolo S. Filippazzo 47:13 5:04 Wantagh NY

Massive crowds!

Strava link

On the way to Utica I stopped at Green Lake for a run on the sweet trails and a dip in the lake.

I’m digging the new Vazee Pace. I was worried at first because this shoe is replacing my go-to trainer, the 890. It feels close enough that it’s a an easy switch. The thing I notice the most is there is more room in the forefoot, which I don’t care for but am already used to. I know a few guys who wear out the forefoot of the 890 who will be happy to see that update.