History

In mid January 2004 a runner, Kitty Filkorn, from Cazenovia mentioned to an event planner, Gail Boone, that she wished there was a road race as part of the Cazenovia Winter Festival. Gail thought it sounded like a good idea for a fundraiser for Cazenovia Children’s House. Plans for the Chilly Chili 5K Run/Walk began.

Soon after a small committee of runners and CCH supporters formed. Cazenovia Jewelry provided start up funds to get the project off the ground and after a few twists and turns, strategies came together. A few other runners joined the committee and it was down to serious business. They wanted to get the event on the 2005 Cazenovia Winter Festival Schedule.

More first year sponsors came on board. Sam Dell joined as pace car sponsor. Chary Griffin, Fischer Law Offices, KPMG, Willowbank Company, LLC, Eagle Newspapers, and Bryant & Stratton sponsored as well. The Lincklaen House enthusiastically agreed to host the finish party and provide refreshment. Eight area restaurants offered to cook chili and Cooperstown Brewing decided it was a great event to serve their beer at. Price T Printing made fabulous long sleeve t-shirts!

Runner’s World featured the race in its magazine, Fleet Feet promoted the race on its site, marketing took hold, and the registrations poured in. On the morning of February 12, 2005 it snowed. Hard. But with the generous support of the Cazenovia community, and all the road, safety, and medical services in place, 470 racers lined up for the start.

A successful race with James Bathgate coming in with the top male time and Mary Beth Romagnoli with the top female time as the winners. There were many winners. The original committee of Stephanie Hunt, Laurie Bartelli, Gail Boone, Tom Lyga, Laura Benoit, Greg Carroll, Jane Mistur, Emil Filkorn and Race Director, Kitty Filkorn, won as well.

In 2006 nearly 900 runners turned out for the most beautiful race day February ever imagined. A tremendous thank you to all involved for helping to bring such excitement and enthusiasm for a winter run to our small town! The Lincklaen House hosted a phenomenal race finish party and we are grateful for their generosity and "rolling up oriental carpets" to welcome over 1000 runners and their supporters! All chili cookers brought inventive and delicious creations to the party. Congratulations to The Foggy Goggle—the 2006 chili champ.

2007 brought a ton of snow to Central New York but over 700 runners came out to brave the icy, snowy conditions. A chilly 19 degrees of fun awaited the runners and brought Jake McAndrew to a stunning win with a 17:15 time. For a remarkable third year in a row Mary Beth Romagnoli took first place female - overall. What an accomplishment!. The finish party was newly located at Cazenovia College and was a great success. Ten restaurants cooked chili and The Brewster Inn took home the Chili Champ Prize!

Cazenovia Children’s House the beneficiary of this race is deeply grateful for the support and dedication of the volunteers, sponsors, donators, public service personnel, printers, community residents, and media that all support this race.