Marking 15 years of progress: the enduring impact of New York Road Runners' Striders at the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K continues to thrive
In the heart of New York City, on Aug. 9, 2025, the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K was a highlight of Harlem Week. The event, which saw over 5,200 participants, was a testament to the vibrant community spirit that thrives in the city.
One of the most inspiring stories of the day belonged to Gertrude Lane, a 96-year-old participant who has been with the New York Road Runners' (NYRR) Striders program since its inception. The Striders program, launched in 2010 at Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem, started as a small walking group for older adults and has grown into a citywide initiative with over 53,000 participants across all five boroughs over 15 years.
Gertrude, an assistant principal and a deeply involved member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, began her journey in the Striders program since its beginning. Over the years, her abilities have improved significantly, a testament to the program's impact on older adults. Many seniors, including Gertrude, have discovered new physical capabilities, with some in their 70s able to run marathons, according to one longstanding coach.
The NYRR Striders program offers weekly walking sessions aimed at helping older adults stay active, improve strength and mobility, and build social connections. For Gertrude, these sessions have fostered not only physical health but also community engagement, camaraderie, and empowerment.
Gertrude's coach, Majors, emphasises the key to staying active later in life is to start slow and stay consistent. Gertrude herself offers advice for older adults who wish to start the Striders program – begin with walking and gradually increase speed.
The Percy Sutton Harlem 5K was also a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the NYRR Striders program. Hundreds of young athletes from ages two to 18 participated under the Rising NYRR youth program, while over 50 high school girls from NYRR's Run for the Future program also took part.
The race started at 8 a.m. on Edgecombe Avenue, with Broadway star Patina Miller mentoring girls through a six-week educational program and nearly 200 members of the Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority participating. Gertrude Lane, a beacon of inspiration, was there too, considering Majors as a friend and family member.
The NYRR Striders program has transformed from a local walking group into an influential citywide program encouraging fitness, well-being, and social connection among older adults throughout New York City. It's a shining example of how community initiatives can empower individuals and foster a sense of belonging. Gertrude Lane, with her unwavering spirit and dedication, is a testament to this transformative power.
[1] New York Road Runners. (2025). NYRR Striders Program. Retrieved from https://www.nyrr.org/striders [3] New York Road Runners. (2025). History of the NYRR Striders Program. Retrieved from https://www.nyrr.org/striders/history [4] New York Road Runners. (2025). Impact of the NYRR Striders Program. Retrieved from https://www.nyrr.org/striders/impact
- Gertrude Lane, a participant at the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K, is a testament to how the NYRR Striders program, which focuses on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and aging, has empowered older adults, enabling some to run marathons even in their 70s.
- The NYRR Striders program, which offers weekly walking sessions to improve physical health, strength, mobility, and social connections, is not only about science and fitness but also about women's health, as it has fostered camaraderie and empowerment for participants like Gertrude Lane.
- Beyond the physical benefits, the NYRR Striders program, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, also promotes the well-being of the community, with annual events like the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K bringing together people of all ages, from young athletes to seniors like Gertrude Lane, in the spirit of sports and community spirit.
