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Larchmont Man Finishes Kona Iron Man Triathlon In 15 Hours

LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Stefan Tunguz, a Larchmont resident, finished the Iron Man this past weekend in Kona, Hawaii, in 15 hours, 18 minutes, while raising money for the Barth Syndrome Foundation.

Stefan Tunguz, a Larchmont resident, finishes the Iron Man course in Kona, Hawaii.

Stefan Tunguz, a Larchmont resident, finishes the Iron Man course in Kona, Hawaii.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Tunguz has secured one of a limited number of lottery places, to represent Team Will and the Barth Syndrome Foundation at the “World Championship” of Iron Man courses, in Kona – the most grueling of them all – to raise money for the foundation He swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, then ran a full 26.2 mile marathon. 

At 50, Tunguz first learned about a group of boys and young men whose suffering so humbled him that he started competing in triathlons to raise money to help them.

After a shaky start in the sport, now at age 57, he competed in the most grueling Iron Man course, known as the “World Championship,” to bring awareness and fund research into a cure for a horrible disease.  Tunguz usually competes with a group called “Team Will” to raise money for treatments and a cure for Barth syndrome.

Will is the 28-year-old son of Steve and Kate McCurdy, neighbors in Larchmont, who has Barth syndrome. It’s a very rare inherited disease that affects boys. Its multiple, debilitating symptoms include an enlarged but weakened heart, growth delay, muscle fatigue and a vulnerable immune system.

The money Stefan raised will be donated to the Barth Syndrome Foundation, to support its mission to beat this life-threatening disease.

The foundation funds a research grant program, which is working to improve treatments and to find a cure for Barth syndrome.

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