Twenty athletes gathered in the gym of the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal on Sunday, Feb. 4, for a four-hour tournament that resulted in some aches and pains — and a lot of sportsmanship.

The annual “Pain and Suffering Tournament,” whose participants ranged in age from 35 to 50, was created four years ago by Richard Krupnick of Ocean Township, a former JCC board member.

This year’s group of athletes participated in a medley of basketball, volleyball, and dodge ball, Krupnick said.

The event is modeled on multi-sport “Ironman” events, in which there are no breaks, except for water and a few gulps of air, between each match. The result is four hours of continuous exercise and a lot of aching muscles, Krupnick explained.

“When 20 guys our age get together to compete this hard, the process itself is invigorating, but the end result is pain and suffering — hence the name of the tournament,” he quipped. “But the event helps bring more people to the JCC’s terrific facilities, and that’s been the goal from the very beginning.”

The athletes were divided into four teams, with five players on each team, he added.

The tournament garnered $750 in entry fees and almost $3,000 in sponsorship money, according to Krupnick. This year’s sponsors included the Standard Group of Tinton Falls, Firth Guaranty Mortgage Corp. of Ocean Township, Brennan’s Deli of Oakhurst, and Professional Design Services of Toms River. All proceeds were donated to the JCC’s scholarship program, Krupnick said.

Door prizes were supplied by Ad-Pro of Ocean Township, the Peddler Cycle Shop of Long Branch, and Tom’s Atlantic Cyclery of Atlantic Highlands.

The athletes named Scott Edison of Marlboro as the tournament’s most valuable player.

“We all went home feeling tired and achy, but we did a good deed,” Krupnick said. “And, believe it or not, everyone said they’re looking forward to next year’s tournament — despite their pain and suffering!”