Join us in Verona Park on Labor Day as we celebrate the 41st anniversary of the Verona Labor Day Classic, one of the oldest and best 5K races held in northern New Jersey. The 5K race is a USATF-NJ 500 point grand prix event on a USATF certified course through the streets of Verona with the start on Lakeside Ave and a scenic finish in Verona Park. There is also a 1 mile fun run / health walk around Verona Park.
This race is organized entirely by volunteers from Verona UNICO and the Essex Running Club with all proceeds going towards local charities and scholarships!
Registration is only $30 for the 5K if you pre-register (USATF members - $25) and $18 for the 1 Mile Fun Run / Health Walk with no extra fees for online registration. Online registration will open by May 27 and close at midnight on Thu, Aug 31.
In person registration and early packet pickup at Fleet Feet Montclair, 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair on Sat, Sept.2 and Sun, Sept. 3 from Noon until 4:00 pm. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 8:00 am near the boathouse in Verona Park.
Cash or checks only at Fleet Feet and on race day. Please make all checks payable to: Verona UNICO.
5K Race:
1 Mile Fun Run / Health Walk:
T-shirts to all pre-registered entries if you register by Aug. 15. While supplies last after Aug. 15 and on race day. The adult shirts will be tech shirts again this year with a new design and available in both men's and women's sizes. The kids / youth shirts will be cotton T-shirts.
Awards - 5K Race:
Running shoes presented by Fleet Feet Montclair to 1st overall M/F with Vince Carnevale Memorial Trophy.
Awards and Fleet Feet gift certificates: ($25 for 1st, $15 for 2nd, $10 for 3rd) to top 3 M/F Verona residents and top 3 M/F finishers in these age groups: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, every 5 years from 20 to 85+
Awards will be given out at an awards ceremony or awards table near the finish line as soon as the results are verified. Awards not picked up on race day can be picked up at Fleet Feet Montclair, 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair no later than two weeks after the race.
Awards - 1 Mile Fun Run / Health Walk:
Fun Run – No awards or results. Each child will receive a finisher ribbon. Times displayed on digital clock at finish line.
Early packet pickup at Fleet Feet Montclair, 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair on Sat, Sept.2 and Sun, Sept. 3 from Noon until 4:00 pm.
Packet pickup on race day will begin at 8:00 am near the boathouse in Verona Park.
Bagels, fruit and other refreshments will be available after the race at the finish area.
Electronic chip timing of the 5K race by CompuScore using Chronotrack disposable B-tags attached to bibs. Results published on day of race at www.compuscore.com and on runsignup.com.
Click here for the USATF certified course map for the 5K race through the streets of Verona with the start in front of Our Lady of the Lake School on Lakeside Avenue and a scenic finish near the boathouse in Verona Park (USATF Course ID: NJ16516JHP). The 1 mile fun run and health walk starts near the south east corner of the park on Park Avenue and follows the path around Verona Park to the same finish as the 5K.
Click here for a detailed course map for the 5K.
Click here for a detailed course map for the 1 mile fun run.
No parking is allowed in Verona Park on race day. Parking is available on local streets and in municipal lot across Bloomfield Ave.
From Garden State Parkway: Take Exit 148, west on Bloomfield Ave. through Bloomfield and Montclair. Go about 1 mile past intersection with Pompton Ave. Verona Park is on left.
From Route 280: Take Exit 7, follow Pleasant Valley Way north to Verona Park.
From Route 23 (Pompton Ave): South to Bloomfield Ave. Turn right and go about 1 mile. Verona Park is on left.
This is a USATF sanctioned event and the 5K is a USATF-NJ 500 point grand prix event. There is a $5 discount for USATF members if you pre-register for the 5K. Click here for more information about USATF membership. The 5K race is held on a USATF certified course (USATF Course ID: NJ16516JHP).
Verona UNICO awards several scholarships each year to deserving college bound seniors from Verona. Applicants are evaluated based on their scholastic grade point average, SAT or ACT scores, a letter of recommendation from a member of the community, school faculty or school administration, and a 250 - 500 word essay pertaining to "Someone, not related to you, or something that has influenced you to be a better person or has motivated you to be a contributing citizen for the betterment of your school, community, family or assisting others in need".
The Essex Running Club awards the Doug Williams Memorial Scholarship each year to recognize some deserving college bound seniors at Montclair High School who have been outstanding in track and cross country while demonstrating academic excellence, leadership and community service. Doug was a graduate of Montclair High School and a beloved member of the Essex Running Club when he was killed by a hit and run driver on Upper Mountain Avenue in October 2011.
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
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