UTICA, N.Y. -- Back in 1978, the Boilermaker was started by Earle Reed.

His family business, Utica Radiator Corporation, was celebrating their 50th anniversary and Reed loved to run.

The event has come a long way, from changes in start time, to how many, and who ran in the race.

"Well we got through it pretty good. In fact, that's the only Boilermaker I ran, was that first race, and I realized being Race Director you can't run the race because things can happen, well boy they really happened the second year. It was extremely hot, much like some of the weather we've had in the past week or so. A lot of people had problems," said Boilermaker Founder Earle Reed.

The race started with 876 runners and just the 15K, now it draws more than 18,000 competitors with multiple races.

Jim Stasaitis is the current race director and said the large turn out is what the event thrives on.

"The community got behind it right from the very beginning. They're out there in droves cheering the runners on. Our volunteers this year, 4,500 to 5,000 volunteers," said Boilermaker Race Director Jim Stasaitis.

The Boilermaker recently got a new president and even with four decades under its belt, he said it's still doing well with this being one of its strongest years. So he doesn't plan on making any major changes.

"This year will be if not the largest field we've ever had, it'll be the second largest," said Boilermaker Road Race President Mark Donovan. "Upwards of just in the 15K, upwards of 14,800 registrants, and in terms of where do we go with this? With something that's working this well, doesn't need a lot of change."

However, race officials will keep working to expand on the community event.

"I would say it definitely has a life of its own. That is not to say you can just let it lie. You need to continue to nurture it," Donovan said.

Tune into Spectrum News this Sunday morning at 7:30, we'll be covering the race live with Erik Columbia and Dave Oja. They'll lead you through the race, and into the post race party.