Women's Boilermaker 5K: Juliet Hull Runs Away With It

• Juliet Hull wins in 19:05 (6:09/mi) — 1:25 clear of the field, the dominant performance of the women's race.
• Gianna Giruzzi edges Ashley Rathbun for 3rd by one second (20:31 vs. 20:30) — both at 6:36/mi, but Rathbun holds 2nd by the slimmest of margins.
• Gianna Giruzzi climbs from 4th in 2024 (21:16) to 3rd in 2025 (20:31) — 45 seconds faster, a clear step forward.
• Two 17-year-olds from Utica crack the top 10 — Keelyn Simpson (4th, 20:52) and Tatiyana Fosu (8th, 21:54) in a strong local showing.

In a women's field of 2,233 on a warm, humid Sunday in Utica — 75°F and 90% humidity — Juliet Hull of Belmont, NC made it look almost effortless. Her 19:05 at 6:09/mi left the rest of the field a full 1:25 behind, and she never appeared to be in a race at all. That kind of margin in a field this size is a statement.

The battle for the podium was a different story entirely. Ashley Rathbun (2nd, 20:30) and Gianna Giruzzi (3rd, 20:31) crossed within a single second of each other, both averaging 6:36/mi — but the places were decided, and Rathbun holds 2nd. Giruzzi's result is worth noting on its own: she was 4th here in 2024 with a 21:16, and this year she ran 45 seconds faster to reach the podium. Progress made, and made clearly.

Keelyn Simpson, just 17 and running in her hometown of Utica, finished 4th in 20:52 (6:43/mi). She was 7th here in 2024 with a 21:43 — this year she moved up three spots and cut 51 seconds off that time. Alex French, 16, from nearby New Hartford ran 6th in 21:30, and Tatiyana Fosu (17, Utica) and Ella Dischiavo (18, Utica) rounded out the top nine at 21:54 and 21:56 respectively — a genuinely young back half of the top ten.

Jasmin Gonzalez-Rivera, who finished 5th here in 2024 with a 21:17, crossed 10th this year in 22:01 — a tougher day relative to the field, as the competition clearly deepened. Amy Roberson (41, Sauquoit) was the top master in the listed results, finishing 13th in 22:26 at 7:13/mi, and Sue Dehaan of Montreal ran 19th at 23:37 — the senior standout of the top 20 at 58 years old.