Celebrate Juneteenth at Running Events in NYC
Happy Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom in Galveston, Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery was issued.
Juneteenth takes place on Sunday, June 19 this year, with observances throughout the weekend and on Monday, June 20, when NYRR and many other businesses and institutions will be closed to allow time to celebrate, reflect, and observe the day.
How are you planning to spend Juneteenth? We encourage you to take a Juneteenth run or walk—and if you plan to be in NYC, check out events organized by local running clubs and crews that offer a chance to connect with other runners and others and make Juneteenth meaningful.
Check out the events listed below, and visit our listing of local running clubs to connect with NYC clubs that may be planning Juneteenth runs and events.
Harlem Run will be hosting a Juneteenth March and 5K Run/Walk/Roll in Central Park on Sunday, June 19 starting at 1:00 p.m., rain or shine; you can sign up and learn more here. The 5K route starts at Engineers' Gate and finishes at Seneca Village, which was a community of Black Americans, many of whom owned property, from 1825 to 1857, and is today marked by an informative plaque.
All proceeds from the Juneteenth March go toward the building fund of the Harlem Center, a 10-year effort started by a coalition of New York-centered community-based organizations (CBOs).
Running to Protest is holding a run/walk on Sunday, June 19 starting at 10:00 a.m. at Overthrow New York, 9 Bleecker Street; you can find more info at @runningtoprotest and @thatcoffeyboy.
On Thursday, June 16, NYRR joined an in-person walking tour with Black Gotham Experience (BGX), a creative intervention that elevates the impact of the African Diaspora. Founded in 2010, BGX establishes space to revisit untold and suppressed stories through a practice that invites people to walk, talk, and reimagine the past to expand public consciousness. This tour, "Other Side of Wall Street," explores the history of the first free Black community in New York City.
Wherever you are this Juneteenth weekend, you can connect with local running and cultural groups to find meaningful and inspiring ways to make this Juneteenth special.