How Newyorkers celebrated 1999 NewYear

The MIDNIGHT RUN 1988-1999 in front of the Tawern on the Green CLICK ON THE PICTURE WITH RIGHT BUTTON - TEN SELECT View image FROM THE MENU

New York is the Capital of the world. This is namely true during the transition into the new millenium.
Thousands of visitors crowded Times Square to celebrate 1999 New Year. Millions were watching television all over the world the big lighted aluminum ball, exactly at midnight, on command of Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, drop down. Skies lighted by fireworks only the capitol of the world can provide.

Lighted tree at the Tawern On The Green.

But Newyorkers were not there! They found a very different and better way in celebrating the 1999 New Year. Much healthier also. Since 10 o'clock evening long crowds were walking on 68th Street toward the Tavern on the Green, a prestigious restaurant at western outskirts of the Central Park. There were numerous chartered buses, taxi and cars were cought in a traffic jam.

View from 68th Street &Tawern on the Green

At Tavern on the Green is where the world's largest Marathon ends since 1970. The very same organization, the New York Runners Club, Inc., celebrated its 40th anniversary (founded in 1958), serving more than 33,000 members, organized also every New Year this 5 km (3 miles) Midnight Run. It starts at Tavern on the Green, West Drive and 67th Street in Central Park, running south around the bottom of the Park to East Drive.

These kittens played with an indian.

Then turns west onto the 72nd Street transverse then right (north) onto the West Drive to 85th Street, making a U-turn south, returning and finishing at Tavern on the Green. But before commencement of the Midnight Run, from 11 o'clock night, there was a splendid masquerade party for the Midnight Run 20th Anniversary Celebration. The fun began with the pre-run costume parade in front of Tavern on the Green, music and live entertainment with DJ Jeff and his dance team.

Some were elaborate . . .

They came in various costumes to win some fabulous prizes: a trip for two to anywhere in the Continental U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean among other prizes. Additionally more than 100 raffle prizes were awarded. But the main reason for those young, those very old and all those in between coming here was that there's no better way to ring in the new year.

. . . some very elaborate!

Every one was wearing some kind of a costume. Some very elaborate, some as a team of few, others very modest. And those who didn't have any were given hats, fluorescent rings, noise makers and other festive incidental. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes (rewarding creativity, humor, and design).

Some individuals - some team.

At the stroke of mid-night, they hit the road as spectacular fireworks illuminate the sky enjoying a champagne toast at the halfway point, toasting their friends then heading to the finish line for more music, dancing and raffle prizes. A memorable New Year's Eve ever! Running the evening and the race was leadership of the Runner's Club including its founder and president Allan Steinfeld, embracing runners of every age, ambition and ability level.

Running the race.

It is this infinite quality that has made the Road Runners the world-renowned events. From the Metropolitan Opera to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, the New York Yankees and the New York Stock Exchange to the events organized by the New York Road Runners Club, New York City is the place to be for all fans of cultural and universal enrichment.

Josef Schrabal