Minneapolis/St. Paul - Dec. 27, 2010 - Team USA Minnesota's Jason Lehmkuhle 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.

Lehmkuhle will be participating in the Midnight Run for the first time although he 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. 

Lehmkuhle, who has been with Team USA Minnesota since 2001, is using the race as a kick-off for the 2011 racing season.  After the Midnight Run, his 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.

About Team USA Minnesota

Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve the competitiveness of post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians.  The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.  Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) and its silver sponsor is Twin Cities In Motion (www.mtcmarathon.org).  It is also supported by the New York Road Runners and the USA Distance Project.  For more information, visit the team's web site at www.teamusaminnesota.org.

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Contact:

Pat Goodwin

952-924-1081

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