Andrew Carlson, Carmen Douma-Hussar Ring in New Year as Champions in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park

[Photo Gallery] [Event Video] [Iraq Video]

More than 250 American service members run satellite race in Al Asad, Iraq

New York, January 1, 2008—Andrew Carlson (Minneapolis, MN) and Carmen Douma-Hussar (Ardmore, PA/CAN) started the new year on a high note, both shattering the course records to win the male and female divisions at the 29th edition of the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in New York’s Central Park. Carlson, 25, completed the four-mile race in 18:12 to lower the former course record of 18:28, set by Christian Hesch in 2004. Douma-Hussar, 30, lopped 28 seconds off Amy Rudolph’s 2004 record of 21:16 to win in a time of 20:54.

Macharia Yuot (Philadelphia, PA/SUD) was second in the men’s division with a time of 18:33, while Demesse Tefera (Bronx, NY/ETH) crossed in third place in 18:35. On the women’s side, the race came down to the final step as Douma-Hussar narrowly edged women’s defending champion Aziza Aliyu (Bronx, NY/ETH). Sara Slattery (Boulder, CO) finished in third with a time of 21:41.

Carlson and Douma-Hussar each took home $800 in prize money, with the second-place finishers both winning $400 and third place earning $300. Race sponsor Emerald Nuts also awarded prizes (in the form of American Express gift cards) to the top three male and female winners.

More than 250 service members stationed in Al Asad, Iraq, ushered in the new year with their own version of the Midnight Run. Runners donned the same bibs and t-shirts as their companions in New York. Traditionally a Central Park staple since 1979, this was the first year in which NYRR staged the midnight run outside New York. Staff Sergeant Jacqueline Caputi, who ran in the Midnight Run in 2000 when she lived in Brooklyn, spearheaded the effort and ran the race herself.

More than 4,700 recreational runners laced up their sneakers at the stroke of midnight to run in the four-mile fun run. But the party started much earlier as approximately 15,000 people danced to the beat of a DJ, participated in a costume contest and parade, and enjoyed New York’s first (and only) fireworks countdown – Grucci style, 10 seconds before midnight. A spectacular fireworks display by world-renowned Fireworks by Grucci provided the backdrop for the start of the non-scored four-mile fun run. The race even sported a little celebrity flair, as actor Matt Dillon donned bib #4949 and ran in the race.

MEN’S DIVISION
1. Andrew Carlson; St. Paul, MN; 18:12 (course record)
2. Macharia Yuot; Philadelphia, PA/SUD; 18:33
3. Demesse Tefera; Bronx, NY/ETH; 18:35
4. Jon Pierce; Blowing Rock, NC; 18:39
5. Abiyot Endale; Bronx, NY/ETH; 18:51

WOMEN’S DIVISION
1. Carmen Douma-Hussar; Ardmore, PA/CAN, 20:54 (course record)
2. Aziza Aliyu; Bronx, NY/ETH, 20:54
3. Sara Slattery; Boulder, CO; 21:41
4. Buzunesh Deba; ETH; 21:59
5. Abeba Tola; ETH; 22:58