Steigerwald Finishes Triathlon & Wins Janus Charity Challenge

- If He Can Harvest Pledges on Time

by Judy Silberstein

(November 13, 2003) This weekend, John Steigerwald not only completed the Florida Ironman Triathlon at Panama City Beach, but also came in first in the Janus Charity Challenge by gathering $27,000 in pledges for his chosen charity - the Flint Park Playground project. He swam 2.4 miles (in a gulf full of jellyfish), biked 112 miles (matching his personal best time) and ran a 26.2-mile marathon in 13 hours and 45 minutes.

Now comes the hard part: Steigerwald has only 2 ½ more weeks to turn those pledges into hard, cold cash (checks or credit charges) if he is to earn the $10,000 Janus bonus prize.

The money is pledged to support a renovation of the playground still in the planning stages for Flint Park. At the November 3 Larchmont Village Board meeting, Brigid Brennan and Chris Verni from the Playground Committee presented proposals for separate but neighboring play spaces for toddlers and big kids. (See: Flint Park Playground Group Unveils Final Recommendations). Their estimated budget is $150,000, and the group hopes to raise much of those dollars from the community. Steigerwald has jump-started the fundraising with his triathlon pledges, and the Janus bonus prize would be an additional boost.

The Ironman event represented a major accomplishment for the Morgan Stanley stockbroker and Larchmont family man. “It was slower than I wanted, but was still one of the best times I’ve ever had,” said Steigerwald who had been aiming for under 12.5 hours. “What was great was having my children Brianna and Karina run across the finish line with me. My wife Linda met me at the line.”

Winning the Janus Charity Challenge may prove to be an even larger accomplishment - but that race has yet to be won. Steigerwald won’t have earned the $10,000 first place bonus for the playground unless he is able to bring in the $27,000 before midnight on November 26.

Much of the money has come in, and Steigerwald has heard from numerous neighbors and friends who intend to contribute to the playground but who have not yet made it to their checkbooks. “We’re urging everyone to send their money in for the benefit of the community and the children - ASAP,” said Steigerwald.

Conservancy President Catherine Kortlandt was delighted with Steigerwald’s successful finish of the Ironman Florida race. “We are grateful for his help and in awe of his athletic prowess,” she said.

“We’re also delighted to have the chance to earn the Janus $10,000 prize. Everyone’s prompt financial support is essential,” she added.

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