Emerald Nuts Midnight Run - Monday, December 31 / DJ Music and Dancing • 10:00 p.m. / Costume Parade and Contest • 11:00 p.m. / Grucci Fireworks and 4M Race • Midnight / Central Park, New York
New York's First Ever New Year's Eve Fireworks Countdown - Grucci Style kicks-off a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music at the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. With a costume parade, dancing, all the rest, this four-miler is more of a party than a race. Count down
the minutes ’til midnight and then count down the miles ’til
the finish line.
As a special companion to this year’s event, more than 200 service members stationed in Al Asad, Iraq, will run their own version of the Midnight Run at the stroke of midnight—an eight-hour time difference from New York. This is the first time NYRR has staged this race outside New York. The idea came from Staff Sergeant Jacqueline Caputi of San Diego, who ran in the Midnight Run in 2000 when she lived in Brooklyn and saw it as one of the best ways to start the new year “with new shoes and fresh soles” underneath her.
Party Location
Dancing and the costume contest are at the Central Park Bandshell, just
south of the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park, New York. The closest entrance
is at Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street.
Course
All courses are subject to change. Check back here the day before the race for final confirmation.
Start on Central Park’s East Drive (near 68th Street) and head north to the 102nd Street Transverse. Turn left / west across the transverse and the left / south on the West Drive. Continue to the 72nd Street Transverse. Turn left / east and finish.
Click here to view the 4-mile course map.
Race Souvenir
All participants will receive a long-sleeve shirt plus a special souvenir. Size satisfaction is subject to availability.
Number Pick-up/Registration
Advance check-in is required for entrants to pick up their race materials.
Check-in/registration will be at New York Road Runners on:
• Saturday, December 29, 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, December 30, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Monday, December 31, 11:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
If checking in on race day, be sure to allow yourself enough time to get
from NYRR to the festivities (approximately a mile away). There
is no registration or number pickup in Central Park.
Note: Bathrooms, bag storage, and changing facilities will not be available at the NYRR building after 8:00 p.m. on race day. This run is a fun run and results will not be posted online.
Participant Photos
brightroom will be photographing all race participants. Make sure your
race number is clearly visible on the front of your shirt so you can be
easily identified. Please click
here to register with brightroom to be informed when your photos are
ready.
Baggage
Free baggage facilities will be provided as a convenience. If using this baggage service, bring an inexpensive bag and leave your valuables at home. Baggage will be located on Center Road, just west of the Bandshell. New York Road Runners is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Post-Race
Stick around after the race for the awards ceremony. Top three male and female finishers will receive prize money ($500, $300, $200), with time and record bonuses available as well. [Prizes]
Emerald Nuts New Year's Resolution Contest
Winner:
There once was a girl called Joanne
Who had a nut-inspired smile when she ran
In '08 for great times with friends
And for chasing after dreams with no ends
She'll eat roasted almonds, wasabi peanuts and a glazed pecan
Submitted by: Joanne Nolan
Runner-Up:
This is my Emerald Nuts 2008 new year's resolution. I will run 1000 miles in 2008 and donate $1 per mile of my allowance to a buy one hundred gifts for one hundred children with cancer at Christmas 2008. I will get the energy to run 1000 miles by eating Emerald Nuts. My favorite are walnuts, I eat them all the time. Considering I can run the entire loop of Central Park (6.2 miles) in under an hour and I am 4'9' that's a lot of Emerald Nuts! I am 12 and I won the New York Liberty Medal for my work as a volunteer and buddy to kids with cancer.
Submitted by: Arabella Uhry.
Emerald Nuttiest Costume Contest
Don a costume and join the parade! The parade will begin at 11:00 p.m. in front of the Central Park Bandshell just south of the 72nd Street Transverse (line up at 10:45 p.m.).
This year there will be a costume contest! Prizes will be given to the top six nuttiest designs.
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering at this race, click here.
Entry Fees
| Members * | Jr/Sr Members * | Non-Members | |
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| On or before December 16 | $30.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
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| December 17-30 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 |
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| Limited event day entries* | $45.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
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No refunds, exchanges, or transfers on entry. No credit cards or personal
checks accepted on event day. Cash only.
* Members: You must bring your NYRR membership card on event day to receive
your member discount; otherwise you will be charged the non-member event
fee.
Rules of Competition
All NYRR races are organized and directed under USA Track & Field rules and regulations. Entrants must also comply with City of New York, Parks & Recreation and NYRR rules. Failure to do so may result in offenders being disqualified and possibly banned from NYRR events, including the ING New York City Marathon. [Click here for Rules]
Babystrollers / Babyjoggers are not permitted on the race course.
Application
Online Application
Printable Application [Get plug-in]
Fun Run
Sponsors
The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is made possible by the support of our sponsors.
