UTICA, N.Y. (June 26, 2026) -At the Boilermaker’s final committee meeting on Wednesday, June 17th, awards were announced for the Peter J. DeStefano Volunteers of the Year and Les Diven Media Award. The Les Diven Award is presented to media personalities who have a unique connection not only to the community but to the Boilermaker Race. Les Diven was a long-time sports reporter for the Observer-Dispatch and the Daily Press. The Volunteers of the Year awards are named after Peter DeStefano, who worked the finish line for many years.
Tom McNicholl and Dave Streeter were both honored this year with the Les Diven award for their long-time behind-the-scenes work for the WKTV coverage of the Boilermaker Road Race. Both McNicholl and Streeter play critical roles in delivering outstanding television coverage of the race. Their dedication, expertise, and coordination help make the Boilermaker broadcast so successful. Advances in technology over the years have allowed the team to use portable equipment throughout the course, while the Finish Line continues to serve as a base for the main cameras and microphones.
McNicholl has been with WKTV since graduating from college in 1975, when he began as a tape room operator and evening news studio camera operator. As the station evolved over the years, McNicholl advanced into his current role as Chief Engineer. Streeter joined WKTV in 1997. He initially volunteered to help with the Boilermaker broadcast, and once he experienced the excitement of the live crews, cameras, and even the helicopter coverage, he was hooked. For the past 20 years, Streeter has overseen the physical setup and operations for the race broadcast.
Jim Ciancia, Rob, and Mariann Munson are the recipients of the 2026 Peter J. DeStefano Volunteer of the Year Awards for their years of dedication to the race through their work as coordinators.
Rob and Mariann Munson have been dedicated volunteers with the Boilermaker for 39 years. Their volunteer experience began with the Utica National Kids Run before they transitioned to the Invited Elite Athletes Committee when the opportunity arose. Over the years, the Munsons have built a close-knit team of dedicated volunteers who treat every athlete with professionalism, respect, and genuine hospitality throughout their stay. From Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon, these committees work tirelessly to ensure every detail is handled. Thanks to the care, the planning, and the leadership provided by the Munsons, elite athletes have an exceptional experience and are prepared for race day.
For the past eight years, Jim Ciancia has served as the Elite Runner Course Marshal Coordinator for the Boilermaker, but his volunteer involvement dates back to the early 2000s. Ciancia and his wife have long been valued members of the Goody Bag Committee and continue to volunteer their time each year. When the Elite Course Marshal Coordinator position became available, Ciancia stepped into the role. Ciancia’s crew provides security and a safety zone around the Elite Runners and Wheelchair athletes at the Start Line. “This has to be one of the best areas to lead. You are right there when the gun goes off, and I have the best volunteers,” Ciancia stated. Ciancia welcomes new volunteers with enthusiasm and never turns away anyone willing to help.
The Volunteer of the Year award is named after Peter DeStefano. He volunteered for many years on the Boilermaker chute crew, setting up the chutes at the start of the race, managing the ropes, synchronizing the chutes with time cards, organizing the volunteers, and more. Peter passed away in 1988, but his spirit of true volunteerism continues with the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Choosing who to award each year is a challenge, recounts Cindy Dardano, Boilermaker Volunteer Director. “Every one of our volunteers deserves recognition, which makes it truly difficult to single out just one or two individuals for the Volunteer of the Year Award,” says Dardano. “Our criteria are based not wholly on longevity. We look for individuals who display commitment, dedication, energy, and go that extra step above and beyond what is expected.” To learn more about volunteer opportunities within the Boilermaker, visit boilermaker.com or email cindy@boilermaker.com.
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Recognized as the “Best 15K in the USA”, the Boilermaker Road Race is in its 49th year. The Boilermaker, a proud member of the PRRO Circuit, is the premier event of Boilermaker Weekend. The race consistently attracts elite runners from all over the world, including Olympians and world record holders, and features distance running’s most enthusiastic fans, as well as the sport’s best post-race party, hosted by The F.X. Matt Brewing.
