Harlem Week to Host Annual 5K and Inaugural Memorial Walk

As part of the upcoming Harlem Week festivities, two community-oriented athletic events are scheduled to take place on August 8, 2026. The events, which aim to promote physical activity and neighborhood engagement, honor the lasting impact of two significant figures in Harlem’s history.

The Percy Sutton 5K, a long-standing tradition, is set to begin at 8 a.m. The course starts at the intersection of Edgecombe Avenue and W. 136th Street, winding through the neighborhood with a focus on the St. Nicholas Park area before concluding at W. 138th Street. Organized by the New York Road Runners, the race serves as a qualifying event for the New York City Marathon. While registration for the 5K is currently closed, organizers note that the public is welcome to view the race from the sidelines.

Following the 5K, the inaugural Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk will commence at 9 a.m. Starting at W. 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, this one-mile walk was established to encourage active lifestyles for families. Like the 5K, registration for the walk is no longer available.

These events serve as tributes to their namesakes, both of whom were pivotal in the civil rights movement. Percy Sutton, a World War II veteran and attorney who represented figures such as Malcolm X, later served as Manhattan Borough President. He is credited with founding the event that eventually evolved into Harlem Week and was instrumental in expanding the New York City Marathon to include all five boroughs. He passed away in 2009.

Dr. Hazel Dukes, who died in March 2026, was a prominent advocate for civil rights, serving as the president of the New York State NAACP conference for nearly five decades. Her work focused on securing equal opportunities through engagement with government leadership. In 2023, she was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest honor, in recognition of her lifelong commitment to advocacy.

Residents interested in further details regarding the event schedule or the history of these commemorations can consult the official Harlem Week calendar.