
From the Organizer
Our memorial race, in honor of Cpt. James R. Minicozzi, is held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, every year; during La Festa Italiana. Our event is held in Downtown Scranton, PA. The 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk benefits: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania Children’s Christmas Party and College Scholarships at, his alma mater, West Scranton High School.
Day of Registration: 8:00-9:30 AM (Water and fresh fruit will be available at the main registration table for participants)
Registration Cost: $25 for pre-registered participants, $35 for day of participants - The first 100 registered participants will be guaranteed a race t-shirt.
T-Shirts: T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 100 runners/walkers.
Water Station: There will be a water station located halfway through the race, near Andy Gavin's on North Washington Ave.
Awards/Prizes: We will recognize the first Overall Male and Female runners, along with the top 3 male and female runners in each age group. In addition, bonus prizes will be given to the top 3 overall Male and Female winners, and the Armed Service Award Recipient. In addition, the 1st place Male and 1st place Female in each age group will be given a bonus prize. Please note that you must be present to receive your "bonus" prizes, if you are not present the prizes will be forfeited to another finisher in that age bracket.
We will also recognize the top overall male and female walkers with a trophy and bonus prize as well.
**Effective January 1, 2022: No Minicozzi Race Committee members or Minicozzi family members are eligible for any race trophies, medals, awards, or "Bonus" prizes. If you are one of these members and would still like to participate in honor or tribute to Captain James R. Minicozzi, you will still receive a race t-shirt, but will not be provided a timing bib for the race.
Age Groups: 13 & Under, 14-19, 20-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71+
Awards Ceremony: Awards will be presented to age group winners immediately following the race at the main band stand.
Special Recognition Award: The Cpt. James R. Minicozzi Memorial Armed Service Award will be given out to the top finisher in the 5K race who is an Armed Service member (active or veteran).
Pacing: Dickson City Hyundai will be pacing the runners with a lead vehicle.
Honoring James: Every year we honor the memory of Cpt. James R. Minicozzi with our Memorial Race on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend during LaFesta Italiana, in Downtown Scranton. The proceeds we raise host over 200 children at The Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA for their annual Christmas party. The club is the safe haven for keeping these children off of the streets, it is their home away from home. We provide every child with a hot meal, hours of festivities and winter hats, gloves & warm, embroidered with the Boys & Girls Club logo on it, coat, vest, hooded sweatshirt or item of warmth for their upper body along with other surprises. All of this is possible from our memorial race, thru the UNICO Scranton Chapter, as well as awarding 2 college scholarships at West Scranton High School, to a male & a female student, in their current graduating class.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
79°
Typical Low
58°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap, 6 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
76,074
as of 2023
Elevation
795 ft
Nearest Airport
AVP
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport · 6 mi
Major Hub
EWR
Newark Liberty International Airport · 92 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 14th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
89
Days to train
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From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
14th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race
Sep 5, 2026