This week, in honor of Father’s Day, the Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize four local dads as Sportstars of the week: Martin (Mordechi) Bodek, Glenn Pfeiffer, Yossie Rubin and David Tyler. In keeping with the Father’s Day theme, we asked their greatest trophies (children) a few questions about their Sportstar dads.

Martin (Mordechi) Bodek started running when he was 21, and has piled up some impressive numbers to this point: 204 races, including 23 marathons, 30 half marathons, and four ultras. Running 16 New York City Marathons (including 14 straight—every single one in this millennium that wasn’t canceled by a hurricane), and every Brooklyn marathon ever (4). To celebrate his 40th birthday this past April 19, Bodek ran 40 miles around Brooklyn. Aside from racing accomplishments, he has authored four books, runs TheKnish.com, and can solve the Rubik’s Cube faster than most people. Mordechi is very active in the JRunners organization, helping to stage races, and serving as their Beat Reporter. He is the author of all the articles on the Jrunners blog http://www.jrunnersclub.org/.

Naava Bodek (10): My dad runs for fun, he is really fast, but not nearly as fast as his favorite athlete Superman. The day before a marathon, my father prepares a golem of his racing clothing and stuff. His greatest athletic accomplishment is running 40 miles around New York for his 40th birthday. Also, I’m proud of him for running!

Freddy Bodek (8): My dad runs for the medals. His favorite athlete is Victor Cruz, because of the salsa. His pre-race ritual is getting dressed. His greatest athletic accomplishment is finishing so many races.

Ranan Bodek (4): My Dad runs marathons so he can get a medal. I don’t know who his favorite athlete is. His pre-race ritual is put on his hat and t-shirt. His greatest athletic accomplishment… well it depends.

Glenn Pfeiffer started running in 2009. He began running seriously when he signed up for a half-marathon in Las Vegas in December of 2009 to raise money for Chai Lifeline. He lost 40-45 pounds over that time period. Since then, he has run 46 races and 614 total race miles. Twenty-one of the races were half marathons (13.1 miles), with a best time of 1:39:11. Six of the races were marathons (26.2 miles) with a personal best time of 3:38:52. Glenn enjoys running more in the cold weather versus the heat. His pet peeve is people calling what he does “jogging” and people who call all races regardless of distance a “marathon.”

Gila Pfeiffer (18): My Dad runs because he enjoys it, the exercise makes him feel good and he likes to talk about it with other people. I really do not know who my father’s favorite athlete is, his greatest accomplishment is running the New York Marathon.

Zahava Pfeiffer (16): My dad runs to stay fit and healthy, his favorite athlete is Meb Keflezighi. My father’s pre-race ritual involves a lot of stretching and his greatest athletic accomplishment is completing marathons.

Ayelet Pfeiffer (14): My dad runs because he enjoys it. His favorite athlete is Kate Anna-Louise Jayden, who in April just ran 24 marathons over 17 consecutive days to raise money to fight eating disorders. I think his pre-race ritual is a lot of exercising, running and training before races. His greatest athletic accomplishment is running the races.

Miri Pfeiffer (12): My Dad runs to get exercise and for fun. His favorite athlete is Wilma Rudolph. My dad’s pre-race ritual is eating bananas and his greatest accomplishment is running a full New York Marathon.

Yehuda Pfeiffer (9): My father runs because he wants to lose weight. His favorite athlete is former Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino. Before he races he tries to push trees [ed. note – it’s a calf stretch]. His greatest athletic accomplishment is running in the marathons.

Yossie Rubin started running seriously in his 40’s when challenged by his wife to run a half marathon for Chai Lifeline. Since then he has run many races, completing his first marathon last year, and is preparing for his first New York City Marathon this November. Yossie loves the camaraderie of the race. He told the JLNJ that it is the “loneliest sport that you run with 20,000 other people, and 100’s of thousands of spectators.” Yossi enjoys the passion of the spectators and dedication of the participants. “Worst parade ever” and “I’m proud of you perfect stranger” are his two current favorite spectator signs. The biggest challenge he faces is spending the hours necessary for training while balancing family and work commitments. Like a lot other runners in the area, Yossie can be found pounding the pavement pre-dawn, with his headlight flashing, in all weather conditions. Yossie has perfected the “thank you for stopping at the stop sign and not killing me” wave, and is looking forward to running more races with his family.

Malkie Rubin (16): My dad runs to stay in shape. I am his running partner and favorite athlete. My father’s greatest athletic accomplishment is making it back on time for parent-teacher conferences after running a marathon 120 miles away.

Miriam Rubin (13): My dad runs to stay fit and I believe I am his favorite athlete. Before the race my dad usually drinks lots of coffee. His greatest athletic accomplishment is running a half marathon with my mom in Miami for Chai Lifeline.

Binyamin Rubin (11) my dad runs to be a better dad. I know I am his favorite athlete. My father’s greatest athletic accomplishment is completing marathons.

David Tyler races regularly, most enjoying half marathons and longer runs. He attained his personal best in the 2013 Philadelphia Marathon and is hoping to beat it in New York this November. David’s favorite runs are with his wife, Debbie, on Sunday mornings. David’s children agree that he likes to run to be healthy and stay in shape, not to mention all the t-shirts and other souvenirs he brings home.

Benjamin Tyler (13): Obviously, I am my dad’s favorite athlete. Dad likes to stretch before a big race. His greatest athletic accomplishment is keeping up with me and my siblings and running marathons.

Abigail Tyler (11): I bet Ben thinks he’s dad’s favorite athlete. Really mommy is. They like to run and even race together. Dad warms up before races by stretching and running. Before long races he trains a lot, going to the gym, out for long runs and swimming. I think dad’s greatest athletic accomplishment is running super-hero half marathons.

Samuel Tyler (9): Mommy is my dad’s favorite athlete. Before a race, Daddy has to chase us around to make sure we behave for Mommy. I think that’s how he warms up. Chasing us around is probably his biggest athletic accomplishment too.

Joshua (“JT”) Tyler (4): JT could not be reached for comment as these questions were asked after his bed time, but he wanted to make sure to tell everyone that he loves his puppy.

Send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]