History, culture, 'love': how a Harlem 5K run is about more than just racing

HARLEM, Manhattan -- Rarely do history, culture, and community all come together in an athletic event. An exception to that, however, is the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run and Walk, which took place on Saturday morning. 

The more than 5,000 runners and their supporters came together at the starting line, which is right in front of the Percy Sutton Educational Complex, at the intersection of Edgecombe and Saint Nicholas Avenues, and 135th Street. The historically Black neighborhood has a diverse population, and on Saturday it was a magnet for an even wider array of people. 

Keisha Sutton-James, the deputy borough president for Manhattan, described the scene simply. 

"Harlem is Harlem," she said, with a laugh. Sutton-James is the granddaughter of the man after whom the event is named. 

Percy Sutton was a civil rights leader, businessman, lawyer for Malcolm X and other high profile clients, Manhattan borough president, and more. 

Relative to long distance running and New York City, Sutton was a visionary. 

"Percy Sutton was the person who brought the five borough marathon to life," Sutton-James said about her grandfather. Prior to 1976, the 26.2 mile race was held in Central Park, with runners looping around Central Park Drive over and over. 

Sutton advocated for a true road race, but the city government, which was on the brink of bankruptcy at the time, was unable to put it together. 

"He raised the money for it," Sutton-James said, "he got the political folks on board to make it happen."

The 5K race named after Sutton is a qualifying event for the marathon that he made into a world-renowned destination. Organizers of the 5K -- who are also organizers of the marathon -- say that Saturday's Harlem-based run is so much more than just a race. 

Ted Metellus, the New York Road Runners senior vice president and race director, pointed out the wide array of people who'd come out for the event. 

"We have children as young as two-year-olds, we have seniors in their eighties and everyone in between running in the city streets of Harlem," he said. 

In addition to all of those runners, the event featured African drummers, a jazz saxophonist, an aerobics workout, and was followed by a street fair, marionette show, and other events. They all kicked off Harlem Week, a cultural celebration of the history and lifestyle of the neighborhood.

This marks the 50th anniversary of Harlem Week, which, by the way, actually lasts two weeks. 

"Of course, Harlem is the most famous community in the world," said Marko Nobles, the senior vice chairman of Harlem Week, "with millions coming all year round," he said. "Harlem Week is an example of what happens 365 days a year in this great community of Harlem."

Participants in the 5K run said it embodies the spirit of Harlem Week.

"Having so much history being a part of it," said runner Melissa Lynskey, 'it really makes you feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself when you run these races."

Andrew MacPhail said that he runs multiple races every year, and that the Percy Sutton 5K really stands out. 

"The energy, and the love and the joy and the optimism is always encouraging," he said, "and it comes at a perfect time in the summer."

Regina Fleming, who said that she's also known as "The Queen," is a Harlem homeowner. She said that for her, a local resident, having a world class run enhances an already remarkable neighborhood all the more. 

"It's not just like you're running down the streets of Harlem," she said, "but it's the dedication for us, the commitment to the community."