Runners are counting down the hours to the 2012 Boilermaker Road Race. Friday, the Boilermaker Health and Fitness Expo kicked off with lots to do for everyone involved in the race. And as YNN's Erin Clarke tells us, this weekend's events are about more than those running the grueling course.

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UTICA, N.Y. -- Kathryn Kasky and Mikaela Butler are running the Boilermaker for the first time.

"It was part of my bucket list to start running and this is definitely going to be a challenge, but one that I'm definitely excited for," said Butler.

As the clock ticks down to Sunday's race, they're making sure to keep healthy.

"Stay hydrated, drink a lot of water," said Kasky.

The Boilermaker Expo at Mohawk Valley Community College, where participants pick up their race packets and goodies, is also a place full of advice and tools to get runners to race day and beyond feeling great.

The event isn't only for the runners. About 50,000 people show up over the two days and they're not all pounding the pavement of the 15k.

"Not everybody is a runner, so it's nice to get everybody involved for even the non-runners to be able to come in and share in this experience," said Boilermaker Expo Director, Chris DelMonte.

And share in the experience they do. Those non-runners make up a very important part of the race.

"Seeing the community along the race is always nice. The music and the support from everyone is awesome," said Kelly Jensen.

It's those people lining the course that will give runners like Kathryn and Mikaela that extra push across the finish line.

The Boilermaker 15K starts at 8 a.m. Sunday. You can watch the entire race on Time Warner Cable Sports.