The Hottest Club in NYC on New Year's Eve? The NYRR Midnight Run
Fireworks in Central Park at the 2023 NYRR Midnight Run.
On a cold December evening in 2016, I ran my first NYRR Midnight Run and have run several of them since. But it wasn't my idea to run the race. It was my husband's. He's not a runner but he thought it might be a fun way to celebrate New Year's Eve. Fun?! I was a shocked and a little apprehensive, but happy that he wanted to run a race with me.
As the race started so did the amazing fireworks show. At around the halfway point at the 102nd St. Crossing, volunteers handed out cups of sparkling cider, a DJ was playing EDM, and there were disco lights shining bright in the darkness. It certainly felt like a party!
I immediately thought about the SNL skit and heard Stefon in my head saying, “the hottest club in NYC during NYE is the Midnight Run. They've got everything—disco lights, sparkling cider, and Central Park all to yourself." Indeed, it was the "hottest club" in town. A club made up of thousands of people who've realized how lucky we are to get to run in this iconic park on New Year's Eve.
After the race we ran to one of our favorite local bars, invigorated with a sense of accomplishment. We chatted with a couple folks about the race, and they were amazed at what we did and inspired to run it themselves the following year.
Bibs from our very first NYRR Midnight Run in 2016.
After that experience we were hooked. We've run the race together half a dozen times and each time is different in its own special way.
One year it was brutally cold out, maybe 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and we almost didn't run but decided to do it anyway. The sparkling cider turned to blocks of ice, and even with all my layers, I don’t think I ever warmed up. We didn’t go to our local bar that night. We immediately ran the 20-minutes or so it took to get to our apartment from the finish line so we could toast our accomplishment in the comfort of our cozy home.
All bundled up and ready to go despite the freezing temps.
Two years ago, our beloved dog died in early December. We’d adopted him in 2010 when he was a one-year-old pup and 13 years later, he passed away and we were devastated. He’d been our at-home cheerleader for all our Midnight Run races.
We’d both signed up to run the race but weren’t sure if we’d be feeling up for it. When the day came we decided to run in his honor. I put on my sparkly running skirt and twinkling lights to get in the festive mood. It was a necessary distraction from our grieving. The weather was great and the vibes were positive. It was exactly what we needed!
All smiles at the 2023 race.
Last year, the Midnight Run was canceled due to weather, so this year we are hoping for good weather and to stand on that start line once again!
The hottest spot in NYC during NYE? The NYRR Midnight Run. It’s got everything—good vibes, great fireworks show, and the satisfaction of knowing you started the new year running strong.
Capturing a moment at the finish area in 2019.