NEW YORK - (December 29, 2000) - A New York Road Runners Club tradition continues this New Year's Eve with the 22nd annual running of the Runner's World/ASICS Midnight Run in Central Park. Nearly five thousand runners are expected for the 4-mile run that begins at the stroke of midnight with a dazzling fireworks show. The loop course also features a New Year's touch, a non-alcoholic champagne "water" stop.

While the emphasis for most runners is to have some fun, there will be some serious running as last year's women's champion Alisa Harvey (17:51 for the 5-kilometer distance) is expected to be challenged by comeback minded Sinead Delahunty of Ireland. The men's field features the 1998 champion, the great Irish middle distance star, Marcus O'Sullivan, who is presently the track and field coach at Villanova University.

The night's festivities will actually kick off about an hour before the run with a masquerade parade, music and dancing. The masquerade parade historically features some very creative running costumes as judges will award special prizes to the top three.

Last year's first place prize went to the Greater Long Island Running Club which got together nearly 60 members to make "A Bridge To The 21st Century". Second place went to the Batcouple from Connecticut. You can always count on seeing Santa Claus and Baby New Year complete with diaper and milk bottle. For more race information, go to the NYRRC website (http://www.nyrrc.org).

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Special thanks to 
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Coordinator for providing us this press release.
USATF Road Running Information Center
5522 Camino Cerralvo, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 696-6252
http://www.runningusa.org
http://www.usaldr.org