44th Annual Verona Labor Day Classic Monday, September 7, 2026 1 Mile Fun Run / Health Walk - 9:00 am 5K Race - 9:30 am Join us in Verona Park on Labor Day as we celebrate the 44th 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! Verona UNICO will cover half of the registration fee!
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 near the finish line as soon as the results are verified. Awards not picked up on race day can be picked up at
1 Miles: T-Shirt
5K: T-Shirt
| Distance | Price | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Miles | $15.00 | Apr 1 | Apr 30 |
| $20.00 | May 1 | Sep 6 | |
| $25.00 | Sep 7 | Sep 7 | |
| 5K | $30.00 | Apr 1 | Apr 30 |
| $35.00 | May 1 | Jun 30 | |
| $40.00 | Jul 1 | Sep 6 | |
| $45.00 | Sep 7 | Sep 7 |
| Year | Finishers | Median Time | Fastest Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 499 | 28:51 | 15:47 |
| 2024 | 453 | 28:30 | 15:50 |
| 2023 | 464 | 28:56 | 14:58 |
| 2022 | 474 | 28:06 | 16:08 |
| 2021 | 348 | 28:17 | 16:46 |
Interested in this race?
Early Bird Registration is only $30 for the 5K if you pre-register by April 30 (USATF members save $3) and $15 for the 1 Mile Fun Run / Health Walk. Online registration will close on Sept 7 or if we reach capacity. In person registration and early packet pickup at Fleet Feet Montclair, 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair on Sat, Sept 5 and Sun, Sept 6 from Noon until 4:00 pm. Race day registration and packet pickup will begin at 8:00 am near the boathouse in Verona Park. All registrations will be onli
Early packet pickup at Fleet Feet Montclair, 603 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair on Sat, Sept 5 and Sun, Sept 6 from Noon until 4:00 pm. Packet pickup on race day will begin at 8:00 am near the boathouse in Verona Park.
No parking is allowed in Verona Park on race day. Parking is available on local streets and in municipal lot across Bloomfield Ave.