Team Minnesota at NYC's New Year's Eve Midnight Run

Team USA Minnesota's Jason Lehmkuhle and Kristen Nicolini will be among the professional field at the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in New York City on New Year's Eve. The 4-mile run, which has been held since 1978 in Central Park, starts at midnight on Dec. 31 to welcome in the new year. A 17-minute fireworks show will be part of the festivities.

The husband and wife duo will be participating in the Midnight Run for the first time. Lehmkuhle is no stranger to New York or Central Park, having competed in two ING New York City Marathons (2008 and 2009) and finishing in the top 10 both times. He also was fifth in 2:12:54 at the 2007 U.S. Olympic Men's Marathon Trials, which was held in Central Park. Nicolini, who was third in the 2009 USA Women's Marathon Championship held at Twin Cities with a debut time of 2:35:06, will be racing for the first time in New York.

Both athletes, who have been with Team USA Minnesota since 2001, are using the race as a kick-off for the 2011 racing season. After the Midnight Run, their next major race will be the USA Half Marathon Championships in Houston on Jan. 29.

The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is hosted by the New York Road Runners. Some 4,500 runners participate in the annual event.