2024 Boilermaker Charity Bib Donations

Stay tuned for more information about Griffin's Guardian's participation in the 2025 Boilermaker Race.


Scroll down👇 for pictures and bios of our runners!

Runner Bios

James Griffith 
I ran my first Boilermaker in 2004 and this year will make my 16th race. It is an honor to wear a Griffin’s Guardian bib in the 2022 Boilermaker 15k. As a Lions Club member of District 20W, I have had the esteemed privilege of running my last 6 races as a charity bib participant for a variety of services that are consistent with the Lions Clubs service values. In the United States, more than 13,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year. But the survival rate continues to improve, averaging over 80 percent with much thanks to increasingly specialized treatments, leading edge expertise and groundbreaking research. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, they are not the only ones that feel the immense weight of the world threshed upon them, the entire family feels the burden as well. Griffin’s Guardians provides that emotional and financial support to children and their families of CNY at the time when it is needed most. In my small community we have a young 11-year-old girl named Nola who has been fighting a rare form of cancer for the past two years. The love and support are all some of us can give. This year I run for Griffin! Thank you Erin for allowing me to be a part of Griffin’s Guardians and raise support and awareness for childhood cancer.

Sara and Jon Griffith
Sara and Jon currently live in Waxhaw, North Carolina with their son Ronan, and three wonderful pets, Kelly, Keia, and Waffles. Originally from upstate, Sara and Jon previously lived in the Utica/Herkimer area. Both Sara and Jon have each run the Boilermaker several times over the past 14 years. Jon ran for Griffin's Guardians last year, and Sara will be running for Griffin's Guardians for the first time this year. Both Sara and Jon are looking forward to supporting Griffin's Guardians this summer in Central New York. Currently Jon is the Assistant Principal at South Providence High School in Waxhaw, NC. Sara works as a sales representative in the local brewery industry in North Carolina. 

Sara and Jon both wish all runners best of luck in their training and race this July. And thank all friends, family, and others that donate to Griffin's Guardians this year. ​​

Brandon Johnson
​ I am excited and honored to run with Griffin's Guardians for this year's Boilermaker. This will be my fifth boilermaker and the third year running for such a great cause. Running with Griffin's Guardians has given me a renewed interest in the Boilermaker as more than just a road race. This organization gives hope to families and children going through difficult battles, I am inspired by their strength, and proud to run for these families!

Emily Kulkus
I am honored to once again wear a Griffin’s Guardians bib for the Boilermaker 15k! I run for our son, Archie, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer when he was seven months old. The Griffin’s Guardians organization has been a constant in our lives ever since and we are so fortunate for the amazing work they do for children and families in Central New York. We are so fortunate that Archie is cancer-free and a thriving, chatty, hilarious 5-year-old who loves cheering on runners with his big sister, Violet. I also run for the incredible children and families we have met along this journey, including Charlie and Griffin, whose spirits have helped me up more hills than I can count.

​Stephanie Kuraszewicz
I am ready to lace up and take on those hills with even more fun and finesse than last year!  I'm running for Griffin's Guardians as a nurse who's seen the heartbreak of childhood cancer and a mom who can't imagine it. Ready to tie up my laces and hit the ground running as GG does for so many local families.

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​Matthew Munnich
I am truly honored to wear a Griffin’s Guardians bib for the 15k. I am happy to raise money that will stay local and be put towards such a good cause. Griffin’s Guardians means so much to me because when Griffin passed, my brother lost his best friend. It was difficult to see my brother go through that, and that’s why, I want to run for Griffin, for my brother Tyler, and for everyone else effect by pediatric cancer.

Tyler Munnich
My name is Tyler Munnich, and this is my third time running this 15k. Griffin was my best friend. We were the Three Musketeers, Griffin, Kevin, and I. From the playdates at Mcdonalds to the birthday parties at the arcade, we were always together. These memories I have do not weigh me down, they do not hold me back. These memories lift me up, they push me to be better, to work harder. That is why I am doing this race, for Griffin, for any other kid going through what he had to, for the families, and the other Three Musketeers out there.

​​Erin and Jason Putman
We are honored to be wearing charity bibs this year for Griffin’s Guardians.  This organization has touched our hearts since the day the Engle family formed it.  No one deserves to hear that their child has cancer.  GG is there right beside these local families helping assist them through these very difficult times.  They are an amazing organization that we love to support.  We run for Griffin and every other child that has lost their chance to run after their dreams. 

​Jared Stanton
My name is Jared Stanton and this is my first Boilermaker race. I am a business major at SUNY Oswego and enjoy running as a hobby. I am honored to run and wear a Griffins Guardian charity bib and raise money for such a great cause. The work that the Engle family has done in memory of their son is amazing and has touched the lives of so many families coping with childhood cancer. It is a privilege to help support their work and mission in our community. Good luck to all the runners and many blessings to the families and children affected by this terrible disease. Thank you to my family and friends for supporting my run and donating to this cause.