Toms River Veteran’s Marathon Effort Raises Thousands for Fellow Heroes

January 23, 2025 04:15 pm

At 41 years old, Anthony Certa, a Marine Corps veteran and middle school teacher, has found a new way to serve his country—by tackling extreme endurance challenges to support veterans in need. Recently, he completed a remarkable 48-hour treadmill run, covering 152.8 miles, to raise awareness and funds for Semper Fi and America’s Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans with PTSD and other challenges.

 

From December 21 to December 23, Certa ran at a 24-hour gym in Bradley Beach, engaging with other gym-goers to share his mission. Armed with informational pamphlets and a QR code for donations, he captured the attention of visitors, ultimately raising over $1,200. A matching donation from the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation doubled the total to $2,500.

 

A veteran of the Marine Corps who served in Iraq, Certa has been running long distances for years as a way to manage his own PTSD while supporting others. His efforts include running the entire length of New Jersey, both south-to-north and back. This latest challenge proved particularly tough due to the monotony of the treadmill setting, but encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers kept him going.

 

Certa’s work doesn’t stop at running. As a seventh-grade social studies teacher in Matawan, he finds joy in inspiring his students, especially those in special education, by showing them what persistence and determination can achieve.

 

His next planned challenge will take him from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City—a distance of over 100 miles. While his recent 48-hour run may be behind him, donations for his cause remain open through Semper Fi and America’s Fund.

 

AP

 

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Toms River Veteran’s Marathon Effort Raises Thousands for Fellow Heroes

January 23, 2025 04:15 pm

At 41 years old, Anthony Certa, a Marine Corps veteran and middle school teacher, has found a new way to serve his country—by tackling extreme endurance challenges to support veterans in need. Recently, he completed a remarkable 48-hour treadmill run, covering 152.8 miles, to raise awareness and funds for Semper Fi and America’s Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans with PTSD and other challenges.

 

From December 21 to December 23, Certa ran at a 24-hour gym in Bradley Beach, engaging with other gym-goers to share his mission. Armed with informational pamphlets and a QR code for donations, he captured the attention of visitors, ultimately raising over $1,200. A matching donation from the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation doubled the total to $2,500.

 

A veteran of the Marine Corps who served in Iraq, Certa has been running long distances for years as a way to manage his own PTSD while supporting others. His efforts include running the entire length of New Jersey, both south-to-north and back. This latest challenge proved particularly tough due to the monotony of the treadmill setting, but encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers kept him going.

 

Certa’s work doesn’t stop at running. As a seventh-grade social studies teacher in Matawan, he finds joy in inspiring his students, especially those in special education, by showing them what persistence and determination can achieve.

 

His next planned challenge will take him from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City—a distance of over 100 miles. While his recent 48-hour run may be behind him, donations for his cause remain open through Semper Fi and America’s Fund.

 

AP

 

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