The Boston Marathon had its own official mascot in Spencer, the famous golden retriever who cheered runners on for eight years, until he died of cancer in 2023. New York’s famous Boilermaker Road Race on the other hand, has a more exotic coterie making up its annual cheer squad. The entrance of the Utica Zoo is located along the 15K course, and annually, the zoo sets up a tent with some ambassador animals to encourage and observe the runners as they tackle the hilly course.
“Hey, there’s a snake!” a Daily Sentinel reporter heard a participant yell as he ran past the zoo’s entrance last Sunday, revealing the identity of one of this year’s ambassadors. The snake, held by Zoo Education Specialist Kat Hawly, is a Jamaican boa named Jamari.
“She’s one of our least-used animals, so she’s definitely curious, exploring what’s going on, but happy to be outside,” Hawley told the Daily Sentinel. “She’s a little unsure about everyone running by, but it’s really good enrichment for her to be able to see something new, see something moving, and experience the sights and smells of something new.”
Jamari was joined by Roscoe the sulcata tortoise, an approximately 24-year-old male who hails from north Africa on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Tortoises are famous for their slow and steady pace, but seeing him show up on race day was likely just the power up some runners needed to finish their 9.3-mile charge.
“We’re not going to bring something like a lion down to meet the racers,” Hawley joked.
One runner, Beth Foxenberg, commented on a Utica Zoo Instagram post about their animal cheerleaders that the race course wildlife is “always my favorite part.”
“Thanks for bringing them out!” she said.
Abby Carney is a writer and journalist in New York. A former D1 college runner and current amateur track athlete, she's written about culture and characters in running and outdoor sports for Runner's World, Like the Wind Magazine, The New York Times, and other outlets. She also writes about things that have nothing to do with running, and was previously the editor of a food magazine.
