By Lil Nickelson
On Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon with its usual field of 50,000 began the 26.2-mile race in Staten Island and turns north through Brooklyn and Queens.
Runners then head west across the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, up north into the Bronx and back to Manhattan to finish in Central Park. Hosted by The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (“GHCC”) Health & Wellness Committee the Percy Sutton “Harlem Miles” stretches along forty- two scenic blocks from 138th Street and Fifth Avenue to 96th Street and Fifth Avenue. GHCC, in partnership with New York Road Runners, kicked off an eight-day tribute from Sunday, October 27th through Sunday, November 3rd as GHCC continued celebrating Harlem Week’s 50th anniversary. Remember their slogan, “You haven’t done this town ‘til you’ve done it uptown; so, do it Up in Harlem.”
On-course entertainment in Harlem included four stages of musical delights set up to help rejuvenate the spirits of the runners once they finally reach our beloved village of Harlem from miles twenty-one through miles twenty-three. Each stage represented different music genres as well as saluted different artists.
Just like on any given Sunday in Harlem the runners were greeted with Gospel & Spiritual sounds at stage 1 located at 135th Street and Fifth Avenue to uplift their souls and weary bones. Musical selections saluted the late Cissy Houston and Donnie McClurkin and included a live performance by Vy Higginsen’s Mama Foundation for the Arts’ Sing Harlem Choir.
Ten blocks down Fifth Avenue to 125th Street, stage 2 is set up, and the music flavor changes to R & B & Hip Hop sounds with salutes to the late Frankie Beverly and MC Lite.
Continuing along Fifth Avenue as it heads around Marcus Garvey Park along Mount Morris Park West and when they reach 121st Street the Sounds of Harlem can be heard at stage 3, where radio station WBLS was at played musical selections that saluted world renowned jazz legends of yesterday Nina Simone and Louis Armstrong.
Stage 4 flips over to Latin & Caribbean beats saluting Graciela & Lord Nelson at 117th Street and Fifth Avenue with music saluting Tito Rodriguez and Rihanna.
I had the opportunity to hang out in the VIP tent of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (“GHCC”) as a guest of one its vice presidents, Tony Rogers, who is also president of the Harlem Tourism Board. Their VIP tent was located between stages 2 and 3 inside Marcus Garvey Park. DJ Tall Guy was playing whenever the Nat Adderly Jr. Quartet took a break. Irene Gandy, Tony Award winner, an American theater publicist and Broadway show producer, as well as another GHCC board member was holding a raffle for the latest Broadway production she is promoting. Jackie Rowe Adams, founder of Harlem Mothers Save, a non-profit group, stopped in to get a bite to eat and relax for a few minutes as well.
I ventured outside to cheer the runners on and an associate pastor from my church, Rev. Jeffrey Crenshaw came running by but stopped long enough to greet me before he continued his run. Thanks be to God he completed the marathon for the second time. It was just so festive seeing people from so many diverse backgrounds out cheering and encouraging the runners as they headed towards the finish line in Central Park. Most of them have only visiting Harlem by running in the race, but I know they felt the love.
People of color came in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the men and women categories. Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race in 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 39 seconds. He crossed the finished just six seconds before 2022 champion Evans Chebet. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the 2024 women’s race, finishing in 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 35 seconds. It was her first time running the New York City Marathon. Chepkirui finished nearly 15 seconds ahead of the defending champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya. First place male is Evans Chebet from Kenya 2:08:41 time and female, Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya 2:23:23 time. The winners take home $100,000 in prize money, according to New York Road Runners.
Lil Nickelson is a Senior Consultant with an MBA degree focused on Finance and Financial Management Services from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Skilled in sales, management, business development, marketing strategy, and social media, with a history of working in the food and beverages industry. Her column “Dining with Miss Lil” has been featured in Harlem newspapers and with Harlem World Magazine for numerous years.
Photo Credits: Rudy Collins.
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