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On the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, participants of the annual "Pain and Suffering" tournament gathered at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal Park to compete in their own "big game."

Twenty self-described "middle-aged men" gathered from 8 a.m. until noon for a three-sport round-robin competition to raise money for the local Kosher Meals on Wheels program.

"We are fortunate enough that we can run around till we're blue in the face and out of breath, but there are many in our community that need some food and companionship," said Richard Krupnick, who first organized the tournament seven years ago and continues to serve as its chair.

The event, held annually on Super Bowl Sunday, was "originally designed to introduce the community to the world-class facilities of the JCC," Krupnick said.

Then in 2007, when the state cut some of its funding to Kosher Meals on Wheels, Krupnick saw the event as an opportunity to raise funds for the program that provides kosher meals to needy Monmouth County residents.

Through sponsorships, the event has raised $30,000 over the past four years for Kosher Meals on Wheels, including $7,000 for this year's tournament, according to Krupnick.

"Now it's more than just to help expose the JCC, it's also to raise money for Kosher Meals on Wheels," he said.

The tournament included four hours of non-stop games as four teams of five (black, blue, gold, and red) competed in volleyball, basketball, and ultimate Frisbee with points accrued based on a team's final score per game with additional points given to the winner of each game.

The tournament came down to the very last game, when the blue and gold teams faced off in an ultimate Frisbee match that would determine the overall winner.

The gold team eked out a win with a final score of 16-12, clinching first place with a total of 159 points. The blue team followed with 153 points, the red team with 126, and the black team with 98.

The gold team included Jeff Reisler, Hal Greenspan, Joe Consiglio, Evan Gartenberg, and Neil Warar.

"Richard [Krupnick] is doing a great thing, and it's a great cause and a great workout as well," said Hal Greenspan of Ocean. "It's No. 1 about charity, and No. 2 about exercise."

Participants said that with four hours of non-stop games, the tournament's name "Pain and Suffering" was apt.

Eric Abrams of Ocean, who has competed in the tournament for the past four years during which he has broken his elbow and tore a hamstring, called the name "completely applicable."

"Call me stupid, but it's for a great cause," he said.

Sylvan Goldwert, a resident of Wayside and a first-time participant, agreed.

"It has been a lot of fun," Goldwert said while taking a short breather between basketball games. "Definitely some pain and I'll leave the suffering for tomorrow."

"I expect the suffering tomorrow," he added after a pause.

Jim Isaacson of West Long Branch has participated in the tournament for the past seven years.

"It makes you feel like a kid, and I'm 50," he said.

Aaron Rosenfeld, executive director of the JCC, explained that the tournament helps raise the funds that allow the JCC to provide approximately 20,000 kosher meals each year to local residents in need.

"The funds are important, but the awareness is too," Rosenfeld said. "There is a need in the community and over the past 10 years we have met that need and we will continue to meet that need."

Through the Kosher Meals on Wheels program, meals are delivered daily to individuals' homes by volunteers and the Congregant Meal Program invites seniors to come to the JCC or the Marlboro Jewish Center to socialize while receiving their meals.

"Richard really does a tremendous job organizing the event, raising funds, and raising awareness," Rosenfeld said.