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New Jersey Jewish News Story
JCC ‘Ironmen’ suffer for the fun of it
by Ron Kaplan
NJJN Staff Writer
Here it is, about two weeks after the fact, and Richard Krupnick is still hurting. But when you participate in an Ironman-type event of your own creation that you have dubbed Pain and Suffering, what can you expect? You have no one but yourself to blame.
Krupnick, a real estate developer in Ocean County, came up with the idea three years ago as a way to keep in touch with friends from his M&M (Marlboro and Manalapan) Softball League team during the off-season.
Once he decided on the particulars — four teams of five players competing in three sports in quick succession over four hours — he needed a place to hold the affair. The Ruth Hyman JCC of Greater Monmouth County in Deal was the perfect choice. The administrators were keen on the idea, said Krupnick, giving up the gym for a few hours in return for some exposure to members of the community who might have been unaware of the myriad programs and services available at the JCC.
“It seems like it’s a win-win situation. The JCC gets a couple of bucks — not much really — but they hope they can get people to join.”
For a $36 entry fee, P&S partakers received a T-shirt and brunch, with an awards ceremony following the games, which for the past two years have been held on Super Bowl Sunday. “It’s an appropriate day,” Krupnick said. “You have sports on your mind anyway, so why not get out and run around?”
This year’s line-up included five-on-five full court basketball, albeit played width-wise as opposed to the standard length-wise; volleyball; and “ultimate football,” similar to rugby, but without the tackling. Not that there was any less potential for mayhem.
In theory, the idea of keeping up with summer buddies, as well as the exercise benefits, is a good one. The practical side is a different story. The fast-paced nature of the comprehensive competition is not for the faint of heart.
“One guy broke a finger. We’ve had a couple tear their Achilles. I’ve had people cramp up. I have to get six or eight new people every year because the pain is serious.
“It’s hard for a bunch of 40-somethings to come out and play four hours of nonstop sports when you don’t do that all year round,” said Krupnick, who, at 43, falls into the middle of the pack.
This year’s Super Bowl was number 40. Does Krupnick think he can keep his annual get-together going?
“We never know. We’re all getting older. I’m still in pain,” he said.
“I’d like to continue…if I heal.”
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