Ready To Run Harlem?

It began as Harlem Day in 1974 and quickly became Harlem Week — a celebration of the unique offerings provided by the neighborhood's rich traditions. Now a week is not even close to enough. The celebration now begins in July and concludes in late August and among the grand celebrations that signals the end of the festivities is the Percy Sutton Harlem 5k Run.

The run, which begins Saturday (August 25) at 8:30 am on the east side of St. Nicholas Park at 135 Street, heads north and alongside Jackie Robinson Park to 155th Street before turning back south. It weaves back down the west side of St. Nicholas Park before returning to its starting point. The finish is a few blocks beyond the start. The walk event begins at 10 am.

The race honors a long time supporter of the New York Road Runners and the New York City Marathon. Percy Sutton, the former Manhattan Borough President, had an amazing life. Born in Texas, he was a Tuskegee Airman during World War II and become the first black trial judge advocate for the USAF shortly thereafter. In the 1960s he was a Freedom Rider and a legal representative for Malcolm X. Throughout the '70s he was the highest-ranking African-American elected official in the City. And he was an entrepreneur who had a big hand in the revitalization of the Apollo Theater. Mr. Sutton passed away in 2009 at the age of 89.

Among the beneficiaries of the Percy Sutton Harlem 5k Run are Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. and the National Urban Health Conference.

Registration is required through NYRR, so please click here for details.