UTICA — For the first time in nearly three years, Utica’s premier summer sports event is getting closer to it is usual status.

For starters: The Boilermaker Road Race with its thousands of participants and countless others lining the Utica streets is back on at its traditional second weekend in July for its 45th edition.

The Boilermaker 15K, 5K and wheelchair race are set to go off on the morning of Sunday, July 10. The Boilermaker’s myriad other events are also back on during the weekend.

Over 10,000 people are expected to participate in the events, with the races at about half of the capacity limits. Registration at boilermaker.com ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Boilermaker officials previously announced participants will no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test prior to race day.

The race had been altered the last two two years due to challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. The race was virtual in 2020 – some still hit the roads on its traditional date – and the the 2021 version was last October with a significantly smaller field.

“As good as it was and cathartic for us to do (the Boilermaker) in October (2021), for us – as well as our runners and the community – we’re a July event. This is Christmas in July,” Boilermaker President Mark Donovan said when announcing the return to July earlier this year. “People come back and they spend the extra days with friends and family. That’s not going to happen in October. … We’re the mid-summer event and it is back where it belongs.”

While the race is back to being in-person this year, participants can still run virtually if that’s the route they want to take. Virtual participants can compete in a 9.3-mile run on any course they choose between Friday, July 8 and noon on July 10.

Before participants hit the Utica streets, here are things you need to know ahead of the race:

Check-in and number pickup

The Health and Wellness Expo returns to the Mohawk Valley Community College campus in Utica.

The event is set to be at the Performance Gym of the Jorgensen Center at MVCC, located at 1101 Sherman Drive.

The Expo is where all participants pick up their race packets and everyone needs their confirmation email and a photo ID.

Race merchandise and interactive booths are also part of the expo.

The hours are: Noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Also on Saturday is the Kids Run, though registration is closed for that event at MVCC. The Walk event is scheduled at noon at Proctor Park. Registration is $8 for the 3-mile or 4-mile event.

Post-race party

One of the biggest parts of the Boilermaker is the post-race party at the F.X. Matt Brewery, which is near the Boilermaker finish line.

The Saranac post-race party will be open to runners and spectators from 8 a.m. to noon. It is free.

The official beer this year is Utica Club.

There is also live music as well as soft drinks and food available for purchase for the thousands of people that usually attend.

Start times

The 5K event — which starts on the bridge on Burrstone Road in Utica — begins at 7:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

The start for the wheelchair race and the 15K race is on Culver Ave. near ECR International in Utica.

The wheelchair race begins at 7:45 a.m. The 15K is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

There are water stations throughout the course for participants.

There are various road closures around the city for the race. Streets are closed to traffic for 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The course is restricted to registered runners and official race personnel. Walkers, dogs, skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates, bicycles and baby joggers/strollers are prohibited. The use of headphones is discouraged, according to officials.

For more information on Boilermaker Weekend, visit boilermaker.com.