Love for Luca 5K Run/Walk

On October 30, 2008, an incredible force entered this world: a boy by the name of Luca Iacono.  As a resident of Middletown, NJ, he attended Harmony Elementary School, where he was a bright, loving, witty child with a passion for family, friends, and sports.  A multi-sport athlete, he excelled at football, and he dreamed of becoming a running back for his favorite team, the NY Giants.  When Luca was in third grade, he was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that begins in the soft tissue structures of the body.  Even during his cancer treatments, he exuded strength and grace, and would continue to find joy and passion in time with his loved ones and on any sports field.

The world heartbreakingly lost this energetic, passionate boy in November of 2019.  To honor his memory, please come join us for the fifth and final Love for Luca 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, which will be held on September 20, 2026 at Middletown North High School to celebrate the life of this remarkable boy with an athletic endeavor that he would have loved and excelled at.  All of the proceeds from this race will be given to a local non-profit organization, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer , whose purpose is to assist with fulfilling pediatric cancer treatment research grants while also providing financial emotional and financial aid to children and families who are undergoing cancer treatment.  Infinite Love was a tremendous support to the Iacono family, and we are honored to be able to fundraise for their incredible organization.  With less than 4% of the federal budget for cancer research being dedicated to childhood cancer, it is important that we chose an organization that is providing the medical community with the funds to help these children live to see their dreams fulfilled.

From Luca’s obituary: “He was wise beyond his years and taught those around him not to waste a single moment, to always smile, be happy, and that life was a gift not to be wasted.”  Come join us on 9/20/2026 to celebrate his remarkable spirit and raise much-needed funds for Infinite Love! 

We are grateful to have had two talented photographers share their artistry with us, capturing the memories of this beautiful day.

Pictures are courtesy of:

• Kevin Prefer @ Jersey Pics:

  • Page One Pictures

  • Page Two Pictures

• Niki Montalto-Zadroga:

  • Pictures

• Tickets are available for purchase:

  • Day of the race (Payment can be cash, check, credit, or Venmo)

  • Prior to the race: email lirunwalk@gmail.com

• Winner will be drawn at the race on 9/21/2025, but need not be present 

On October 30, 2008, an incredible force entered this world: a boy by the name of Luca Iacono.  As a resident of Middletown, NJ, he attended Harmony Elementary School, where he was a bright, loving, witty child with a passion for family, friends, and sports.  A multi-sport athlete, he excelled at football, and dreamed of becoming a running back for his favorite team, the NY Giants.  When Luca was in third grade, he was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that begins in the soft tissue structures of the body.  Even during his cancer treatments, he exuded strength and grace, and would continue to find joy and passion in time with his loved ones and on any sports field.

The world heartbreakingly lost this energetic, passionate boy in November of 2019.  To honor his memory, please join us for the fifth and final Love for Luca 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, which will be held on September 20, 2026, at Middletown North High School to celebrate the life of this remarkable boy with an athletic endeavor that he would have loved and excelled at.  All of the proceeds from this race will be given to a local non-profit organization, Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer, whose purpose is to assist with fulfilling pediatric cancer treatment research grants while also providing emotional and financial aid to children and families who are undergoing cancer treatment.  Infinite Love was a tremendous support to the Iacono family, and we are honored to be able to fundraise for their incredible organization.  With less than 4% of the federal budget for cancer research being dedicated to childhood cancer, it is important that we choose an organization that provides the medical community with the funds to help these children live to see their dreams fulfilled.

From Luca’s obituary: “He was wise beyond his years and taught those around him not to waste a single moment, to always smile, be happy, and that life was a gift not to be wasted.”  Come join us on September 20, 2026 to celebrate Luca's remarkable spirit and raise much-needed funds for Infinite Love! 

This race is certified by the USATF. Please refer to the following course map and description. 

Click the image to make it larger. 

Come visit the tents of some of our valued sponsors on the day of the race!

• Alliance Orthopedics will be available to perform pre- and post-race stretching

• Affinity Federal Credit Union

• Clarity Counseling

• Hear Well

• Navesink Wellness Center

• Ray Catena of Freehold

• Surfside Smile Company

• Therafit Rehabilitation

• Unique Financial Advisors

• The Vitamin Shoppe

The best way that we can increase donations is through FUN-draising!

When you sign up for the race, you will have the option to become a fundraiser and will get a link sent to your email that you can give to friends, family, and co-workers.  You can share it through text message, social media, or email.  Any person who fundraises more than $100 will receive a special prize on race day!

If you are not running/walking, you can also become a fundraiser through this link:
>>>>> https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/132492/BecomeFundraiser <<<<<

2022 Results LIVE by Split Second Racing

We have awesome Love for Luca Merchandise for sale!

Available for donation the day of the race:

• Love for Luca crew socks
• Love for Luca croc charms
• Love for Luca headbands
•  

Two options are available for packet pickup:

1.) Day of the Race:

• When: 9/21/2025, Starting at 8 am
• Where: Middletown High School North

2.) Early Bird Packet Pickup: Get your t-shirt and bib a day early!

• When: Saturday, 9/20/2025 11 am- 2 pm
• Where: Road Runner Sports
  • 490 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
• Incentives: 
  • Road Runner Sports is offering special deals for registrants that take advantage of early bird packet pick up, including:
    • Shopping incentive will be double rewards points for VIPs and $10 off purchase for anyone who joins VIP PLUS $20 worth of rewards points put into VIP account
    • *20% of revenue from any purchases made during this early bird packet pick up by Love for Luca participants will be donated to the Love for Luca race
    • *There will be a raffle for a FREE pair of shoes!

Find out more about RoadRunner Sports here.

We are so thankful to the companies who make race day so special!

• Entertainment provided by:

  • C4 Event Group       
  • My Fairytale Dream

• Refreshments Provided By:

  • Hole Lot of Bagels                     
  • Cuttler Produce  
  • Affinity Credit Union
  • Wawa
  • Portside

Safety is our number one priority!  Please follow race etiquette to ensure everyone has a great race day!  

• Please leave furry friends at home.  The venue does not allow pets on the property.  
• Know your pace and line up according to ability.  Faster runners should line up towards the front, slower runners in the middle, walkers in the back. Discuss with your children who are running the race where they should be in this line up.  
• Walkers and slower runners should stay to the right, to allow others to pass them.  
• Faster runners, please pass on the left.  
• Please do not run shoulder to shoulder in a large group.  
• If you need to stop, put a hand up and try to move to the side of the race course.
• Be aware of other people on the race course; try not to change pace or direction without looking around you first.
• If you are in distress or see someone in distress, please look for our course marshals who will be wearing yellow vests and alert them!
• Water stations will be at mile markers 1 and 2. 

Start Time: 9:00am EDT

Pricing:

• Early Bird until 6/26/2026: $30.00 Race Fee+Sign up Fee
• 6/26-9/13: $35.00 +Sign Up Fee
• 9/13-9/19: $40.00+Sign Up Fee
• 9/20: $45.00+Sign Up Fee

Registration: Registration ends September 20, 2026 at 9:00 am EDT

Awards will be given to:
Overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Male and Female

Awards will also be given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place for the following age groups:
0-9 | 10-14 I 15-19| 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70+

*For the safety of all runners and walkers, no furry friends please. Participants will be guaranteed a dri-fit t-shirt if registration is received by 9/1/2025. 

Start Time: 10:00am EDT
Start time is approximate and will begin after the 5K is completed.
Price: $15.00 Race Fee + $1.90 SignUp Fee 
Registration: Registration ends September 20, 2026 at 10:00 am EDT 

All participants MUST register. This is a non-competitive kids FUN Run for ages 3-11. Distances will vary based on age group. All registrants will receive a dri-fit-shirt if registered by 9/1/26, and the first 100 registered participants will receive a medal.