New York, August 3, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR)—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon and providing free year-round youth community programming—celebrates the 15-year anniversary of NYRR Run for the Future, its free six-week summer program that introduces New York City high school young women to running. Over the past 15 years, nearly 700 high schoolers from across the five boroughs have completed Run for the Future, with an additional 60 expected to graduate during this weekend’s Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Saturday, Aug. 8. The program’s impact is vast, with 90 percent of Run for the Future alumnae continuing their running journey and completing at least one New York Road Runners race after graduation.

“For 15 years, Run for the Future has empowered young women across New York City with the confidence, community, and tools to lead healthy, active lives through running,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “The program has evolved from a small group of participants into a citywide initiative introducing hundreds of young women to the transformative power of running. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and continue to provide access to resources and tools to support the next generation of athletes and leaders.”

In summer 2011, 17 young women participated in Run for the Future’s inaugural cohort. Initially designed for rising high school seniors from northern Manhattan and the Bronx, the program was created to help address health and economic disparities while closing the participation gap in sports between girls and boys. Since then, Run for the Future has expanded to serve rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade women from all five boroughs. During the six-week program, participants take part in educational workshops and coaching sessions that explore the connection between physical activity and self-care. Topics covered include nutrition, mental health, goal setting, and body image, culminating in the young women racing their first 5K. To support their training and self-care journeys, participants also receive New Balance running gear, sneakers, an OMNY card, healthy snacks, and fitness and wellness kits.

The program’s impact extends beyond graduation. More than 600 Run for the Future alumnae have completed at least one New York Road Runners race after graduating, including 28 who have run the TCS New York City Marathon. Since 2011, Run for the Future alumnae have collectively completed more than 400 New York Road Runners races.

Over the years, 15 women have returned to volunteer as race buddies, offering mentorship, support, and encouragement as they train and race alongside program participants. Run for the Future has also welcomed several notable race buddies, program ambassadors, and speakers, including Olympians and Paralympians Shalane Flanagan, Susannah Scaroni, and Aliphine Tuliamuk; NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella; Tony Award–winning actress Patina Miller; and running influencer and entrepreneur Latoya Shauntay Snell.

“Run for the Future was so exciting to be part of,” said Miller. “There’s nothing more rewarding than encouraging the next generation of young women to believe in themselves, embrace challenges, and realize they’re capable of so much more than they think. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to be part of such an inspiring program.”

“Being a Run for the Future ambassador has been one of the greatest honors of my running journey,” said Snell. “This program shows young women what becomes possible when they’re given encouragement, community, and the space to believe in themselves.”

This year’s program ambassadors are Sam Ryan, six-time Emmy Award–winning sports anchor and reporter with WABC, and Keisha Sutton-James, former deputy Manhattan borough president and granddaughter of Percy Sutton, the Harlem 5K’s namesake. Last month, Ryan and Sutton-James joined participants for a practice 5K in Central Park. Both will return on Saturday to run alongside participants at the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K as they celebrate their graduation from the program.

Percy Sutton Harlem 5K

The Percy Sutton Harlem 5K, produced by New York Road Runners in partnership with the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), serves as the annual graduation race for Run for the Future participants. To mark the program’s 15-year anniversary, graduates will receive flowers, tote bags, and custom Run for the Future cookies.

The race is named after the late Hon. Percy Sutton, a prominent Black leader and Manhattan borough president who helped champion the first 5-boro New York City Marathon in 1976, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Nov. 1. Sutton’s legacy will be recognized throughout the year as part of “The Trailblazers,” a recently announced campaign honoring the five individuals—including Sutton—who helped bring the iconic 5-boro course to life.

Beyond his contributions to the New York City Marathon, Sutton also founded HARLEM DAY—a one-day event uniting the greater Harlem community, businesses, and cultural institutions—which has since grown into HARLEM WEEK.

The Percy Sutton Harlem 5K will also include a one-mile family health walk, which was renamed in 2025 to honor the late civil rights activist, former NAACP New York State Conference President, and longtime Harlem resident Dr. Hazel Dukes.

Among the Run for the Future participants and ambassadors running the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K include:

•Dorothy (10th grade, Queens): Dorothy, a rising junior, started running for her high school earlier this year and wanted to improve her skills before the next school year. By joining Run for the Future, she has immersed herself in the running community for the first time and has grown to love the sport even more.

•Jaida (12th grade, Brooklyn): A lifelong dancer, Jaida is heading into her freshman year of college, where she intends to study dance physical therapy. She had never run before Run for the Future and credits the program with increasing her confidence and helping her overcome her asthma.

•Liyah (11th grade, Brooklyn): Liyah is a rising senior and joined Run for the Future to find a community of like-minded young women.

•Omya (12th grade, Bronx): Growing up, Omya was limited physically, which caused low self-esteem and self-doubt. Participating in Run for the Future has completely changed her life and self-image, helping her feel confident, strong, powerful, and capable.

•Sam Ryan: Six-time Emmy Award–winning WABC sports anchor and Run for the Future ambassador and race buddy. Ryan has run four TCS New York City Marathons and countless New York Road Runners races.

•Keisha Sutton-James: Former deputy Manhattan borough president, granddaughter of Percy Sutton, and Run for the Future ambassador and race buddy. Sutton-James will also serve as an Honorary Grand Marshal at this year’s TCS New York City Marathon, representing her grandfather.

The Run for the Future 15-year anniversary will culminate in a special year-end gathering in December with program alumnae. The event will feature a photo exhibition and art gallery showcasing the program’s evolution over the past 15 years, including a display of Run for the Future medals and memorabilia, such as the original T-shirt. Written testimonials from alumnae will also be displayed, highlighting the impact and legacy of the program.

Throughout the year, New York Road Runners offers a variety of races, community events, and free programming, serving more than half a million people annually as part of its mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

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About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.