Verona UNICO is pleased to announce the 37th Annual Verona Labor Day Classic to be held on Monday, September 2  at Verona Park. There will be a 1 mile fun run and health walk around Verona Park at 9:00 AM. followed by a five kilometer race at 9:30 a.m. This is one of the best 5K races held in northern New Jersey on a fast USATF certified course through the streets of Verona with the start on Lakeside Avenue and a scenic finish in Verona Park.

Verona UNICO organizes this event with the Essex Running Club and it serves as a major fundraiser for UNICO charities which include local volunteer and non-profit organizations as well as scholarships for Verona High School graduates. Platinum sponsors for the race are Hillcrest Farms (Verona), Fleet Feet Sports (Montclair) and Pigerno-Giordano Construction. Gold sponsors are Verona /UNICO National, Verona Place Apartments,Willing Hearts Consignment Shop, SC Schumacher Chevrolet Auto Group, Eight Hills Caterers, Bagelwich Bagel Bakery, Bella Gente Ristorante, Hill Publishing Inc,McEnerney,Brady & Co. and Verona PBA.

The 5K race is a USATF-NJ Grand Prix event with awards and Fleet Feet incl running shoes to 1st overall M/F, gift certificates to the top 3 finishers in 5 year age groups. Electronic chip timing of the 5K race will be performed by CompuScore and complete results will be published on their website at www.compuscore.com. There will be finisher ribbons for each child competing in the 1 mile Fun Run. Bagels, fruit and other refreshments will be provided after the race at the finish area.

Pre-registration for the 5K is $25 (USATF-MEMBERS $20); race day registration is $30. Pre-registration for the 1-mile Fun Run and Health Walk is $15; race day registration is $20. All pre-registered entrants are guaranteed the official race t-shirt. All others will receive a shirt while supplies last.

You can download an application from http://www.essexrunning.org. or register online at www.raceforum.com/verona or register www.compuscore.com/verona. There are no extra fees for online registration. Online registration will close at midnight on Saturday August 24. Race day registration and packet pickup begin at 8:00-8:45 AM at the boathouse in Verona Park. You can also register in person at Fleet Feet Sports, 603 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair thru Sunday, September 1 cash or checks only and there will be early packet pickup at Fleet Feet Sports on Saturday August 31 (Noon-7 p.m.) and Sunday, September 1(Noon-4 p.m.).

For more information please visit the Essex Running club website at www.essexrunning.com or call Bruce Snogans from Verona UNICO at 973-239-5888.