Run into 2014: New Year's Eve Races in Central Park & Brooklyn

If running a fun, festive race is your idea of kicking off the new year, there are two events in New York City to check out. The Midnight Run in Central Park, put on by the New York Road Runners, is a longstanding annual event that attracts thousands of runners (many in costume) who run four miles in the iconic park, with DJ music and dancing preceding the race and continuing afterwards. (Before the race, there's a contest to judge the best costumes.) A fireworks show takes soon after the start of the race, which takes place at 11:59 p.m.

The Midnight Run isn't sold out as of 24 hours before the event, but you must register in person at the site (no more online registration). Event-day registration is $60 for NYRR members; $65 for non-members.

Over in Brooklyn, NYCRuns is once again holding its New Year's Eve 5K in Prospect Park at 11:15 p.m. It's said to be the only nighttime race all year in the famed Brooklyn park, and includes complimentary hot chocolate, sparkling cider, and other treats. Race-day registration is $40.

Happy new year!

2011 New Year's Eve Runs in Central Park (& Brooklyn)

Kick off the new year with a short run in New York!

If you're looking for a healthy, relatively inexpensive way to kick off the new year in NYC, check out the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park. Put on by the New York Road Runners Club, this traditional four-mile race takes place at midnight, but the fun starts at 10 p.m. with an outdoor dance party (with DJ) near the bandshell in the park. (There's a race in Brooklyn, too; see information below.)

Runners are encouraged to dress in costume, and there's a costume parade and contest at 11 p.m. The race itself goes off at 12 Midnight, with fireworks to ring in the new year.

I ran the race for the first time last year, and it was a lot of fun. (Speaking of fun, this is a "fun run," so results will not be posted on the NYRR website). Registration is $45 for members and $50 for non-members until 12/30; on race day, it's $50 members/$55 non-members.

See the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park web page for full details.

If you're up for a smaller, more low-key (and cheaper) run, there's a three-mile race in Brooklyn on New Year's Eve. A description from NYC Runs:

"This 3 miler follows an out and back course from 9th Street that heads South towards Coney Island Avenue and turns around at the Lincoln Road Entrance to the Park. Time it just right - just right - and you'll cross the finish line with fireworks bursting in the sky over Grand Army Plaza."

The Brooklyn race starts at 11:15 p.m. and costs $25 through Dec. 30th; $30 on race day.

Happy new year!

New Year's Eve Midnight Run in Central Park 2009

The annual Midnight Run in Central Park is a great way to end 2009, and get 2010 off to a healthy start. The race goes off at midnight, but beforehand there's live music, dancing, a costume parade, and more beforehand. Not to mention fireworks.

The race is a four-mile course through Central Park, and you can register in person (and pick up your number) at the times and places listed in the race's Web page above. (Note: it's $10 cheaper if you register Dec. 30th as opposed to race day.)

Good luck, and Happy New Year!

Midnight Run in Central Park a Highlight of New Year's Eve in NYC

See details on the 2011 New Year's Eve Central Park Midnight Run here. There's also a three-mile New Year's Eve race in Brooklyn (near Prospect Park), which starts at 11:15 p.m.
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NOTE: Get details on the 2009 Central Park Midnight Run here.

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One of the highlights of the running year in New York City, and of New Year's Eve in the Big Apple, is the Midnight Run in Central Park. Sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club, the four-mile fun run steps off at midnight with participants dressed in a wide array of zany costumes portraying just about every theme you can imagine.

The run is just the culmination of a night of fun in the Park, though. The festivities begin at 10 p.m. with a DJ spinning tunes to dance to, so you can limber up your muscles before the run. There's a costume parade and contest at 11 p.m., followed by the race, accompanied by fireworks, at 12 Midnight.

The Central Park Midnight Run is not only a fun way to end one year and start the next, but lets you begin your New Year's resolution for a healthier lifestyle before anyone else.

See the Midnight Run Web page for details on how to sign up for the race.

New Year's Eve Midnight Run in NYC

NOTE: Get details on the 2009 Central Park Midnight Run here.

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If you'll be in New York City for New Year's Eve and are looking for something different (and even healthy!) to do, check out the annual New Year's Eve run in Central Park.

The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is a fun way to ring out the old and ring in the new. The festivities start on Monday, December 31 with DJ music and dancing at 10:00 p.m. Runners are encouraged to run in costume, and there's a costume parade and contest at 11:00 p.m. The main event, a 4-mile race, begins at midnight, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display by Grucci (the same company that puts on the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks each year).

It's a great and healthy start to 2008. What's more, this year there will be a special companion race run by more than 200 service members stationed in Al Asad, Iraq.

Locations: Dancing and the costume contest take place at the Central Park Bandshell, just south of the 72nd Street Transverse in Central Park, New York. (Closest entrance: Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street).

Runners will be making their way to the starting line around 11:30 p.m to the sounds of a live brass band. The race starts on the East Drive of Central Park near 68th Street, then heads north to the 102nd Street Transverse. Runners will then turn (west) across the transverse and then turn left (south) on the West Drive. Runners will make their way from the West Drive to the 72nd Street Transverse, and then turn left (east) and finish near the Bandshell.