By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
With every heart-pounding breath and step, 8-year-old Anthony Truncale of Hillsborough could feel a deeper appreciation of the physical struggles that ill youngsters have to deal with every day.
Young Anthony pushed himself Sunday in a “Kids Triathlon for Bob Kelleher” held in Rumson. The race consisted of three legs: a 75-yard swim in the Navesink River, a 2-mile bike ride and half-mile run.
Anthony was one of the last ones out of the water, which his parents expected, since he does not swim competitively, but he passed a bunch of kids on the bike and another 10 on the run. He counted, he said proudly, when he had finished.
“He has never run in a race either, so this was all a new experience for him,” said his mother, Kate. “He crossed the finished line with outstretched arms. Once he received his medal and took several deep breaths, he gave a huge smile.”
Even though he was just two days off antibiotics to fight strep throat, Anthony participated to challenge himself, and also to raise money for Steps Together, a Hillsborough-based charity that helps families with medical emergencies. He has raised more than $1,055 through a fund-raising link on the Steps Together website.
Directed by Courtney and Michael Newman, Steps Together helps several local families with children with challenging physical ailments. There are several fundraisers through the years, and the beneficiary families often help run and enjoy the times with hundreds of others.
Ms. Truncale said Anthony has met several of the youngsters who benefit from Steps Together, and it has made an impression.
She said Anthony initially learned about Steps Together three years ago when he participated in the kids’ sprints at the Steeplechase Run, held every September at Amsterdam School.
His interest became deeper two years ago at Christmas time when his grandmother sent him five books, accompanied with stuffed animals, and asked him to give them to children who could use a blessing, according to mom.
She said he immediately thought of the Steps Together kids and the family reached out to the Newmans.
“We were able to meet the families and children face to face, and actually have became close friends with many of them. Since then, Anthony has been saving a portion of his allowance that he donates to Steps Together each year at the Steeplechase,” she said.
“We are very fortunate to have a local organization like Steps Together that we can work with and actually get to know the beneficiaries,” said Ms. Truncale.
He saves his allowance for Steps Together. He has 3 jars that he uses to split his money into each week. One jar is “spend,“ one to “save“ and the third for “Steps Together.“ He gives his “Steps Together“ jar to the Newmans at the Steeplechase Run, the biggest Steps Together event each year.
Ms. Truncale, an open water swimmer herself, worked with her son to extend his ability to go one length of the pool, then two and three. She said it was fun training with him, teaching him about pacing his strength and seeing his progress.
For the record, Anthony — all 64 pounds and 48 inches tall — in his first triathlon came in 18th of 29 boys and 24th overall in the 8-and-under division. Older kids also competed, at longer distances.
