Stephanie Pezzullo
Peacock, Pezzullo Win Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
33rd edition draws 5,000 to kick-off 2012 in Central Park
NEW YORK – (December 31, 2011) – Two athletes training in North Carolina, Landon Peacock of Blowing Rock and Stephanie Pezzullo of Charlotte, won the 33rd Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a four mile road race held here in Central Park at the stroke of midnight.
Peacock, 24, a former University of Wisconsin Badger who now runs for the Reebok-sponsored ZAP Fitness program, clocked 18 minutes, 35 seconds, three seconds up on Tesfaye Dube, an Ethiopian athlete who runs for the New York-based West Side Runners club. Stephen Pifer, who runs for the Nike Oregon Track Club in Eugene, finished third in 18:48.
“It was a whole lot of fun,” Peacock said after running the race for the first time. He smiled and added, “It was the most interesting way I’ve started a year.”
Pezzullo, 29, who represents Saucony, outlegged rivals Sarah Porter and Carmen Douma-Hussar in the final mile to win in 21:05, a personal best for the distance by 55 seconds. For Pezzullo it was her first Midnight Run victory; she was runner-up back in 2006.
“Awesome, awesome,” Pezzullo said when she was asked how the race went. “It was just a great experience, and the crowd support was unbelievable.”
Porter, who like men’s winner Peacock runs for the ZAP Fitness program, crossed the finish line in 21:17 in her debut at the race. Douma-Hussar, a Canadian Olympian and former Midnight Run champion and course record holder, ran 21:26. Former Providence College standout Katie DiCamillo was fourth in 21:38.
Both Peacock and Pezzullo earned $600 each in prize money and time bonuses.
The New York Road Runners, the race founders and organizers, said about 5,000 runners took part. A nearly 20 minute fireworks display accompanied the race.
33rd Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
New York, NY, December 31, 2011
MEN
1) Landon Peacock (NC), 18:35, $600
2) Tesfaye Dube (ETH), 18:38, $400
3) Stephen Pifer (OR), 18:48, $300
4) Timothy Ritchie (MA), 18:57
5) Brendan Martin (MI), 19:02
WOMEN
1) Stephanie Pezzullo (NC), 21:05, $600
2) Sarah Porter (NC), 21:17, $400
3) Carmen Douma-Hussar (CAN), 21:26, $300
4) Katie DiCamillo (RI), 21:38
5) Breanne Simpson (NY), 22:56
