Each year on the second Sunday in July in downtown Utica, NY, tens of thousands of runners converge for the annual Boilermaker Road Race. This 15k event is more party than race, as the entire community bands together to create a carnival atmosphere for runners and spectators alike.

But to put an event like this on, so much of the work goes on behind the scenes, long before the opening gun. NYSDOT has been a major partner of the Boilermaker in making sure everything runs smoothly. From ensuring the roads are in good shape, the route is closed off to traffic, not to mention having a team of runners participating, DOT and the Boilermaker work hand in hand.

On this episode, Josh and Anya talk with Mike Palowski, the Regional Director of Operations in Region 2, and Boilermaker Race Director Jim Stasaitis, to talk about all the work that is necessary to deliver one of the greatest road race environments in the country.