Runners Going Nuts For Emerald Nuts Midnight Run

The annual event was inspired by Sao Paulo’s New Year’s Eve run.

November through January is an especially busy time to be the CEO of one of the world’s largest running organizations, the New York Road Runners. Mary Wittenberg who heads the organization, will be once again out on New York City’s streets, but this time on New Year’s Eve where 5,000 runners will be taking part in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a four-mile jaunt through Central Park.

“We’d really like to inspire people to get out and get moving,” says Wittenberg said. “It’s not an intimidating event. People can run or walk it or run and walk. It’s for all ages and all abilities.”

This is true for Wittenberg herself who will be able to run with her two children and husband.

“In the past, they were too young and were always asleep before midnight,” she said.

The annual event was started by famed New York Road Runners president Fred Lebow who witnessed Sao Paulo’s legendary midnight run and wanted to create something in New York City.

For More: USA Today