BETTER EVERY DAY
September 6, 2026 - Rochelle Park, NJ
by Rita Selby | with Joe Sorbanelli
GLOBETROTTING ACHILLES ATHLETES
Bountiful summer sun graces the day and it is a pleasure to meet Jenny, one of the Achilles International Athletes from Dom’s group. Dominic Romano, Achilles NY Leader and Athlete, has driven Jenny and a group of hand cyclists out for the usual Sunday workout with Achilles NJ. With Joe Sorbanelli on Jenny’s right and me on her left, the three of us power walk on a fine day through Saddle River County Park.
At the Rochelle Park handcycle fieldhouse with (L-R) Joe Sorbanelli, Dominic Romano, and Rita Selby.
Jenny Huang, a native New Yorker who is blind, has completed races and marathons around the world in her dozen years with Achilles—some with Joe and most with her guide Guy—including London, Paris and Colorado (her favorite).
EARLY INSPIRATION
Joe, inspired as a child by his namesake Reverend Joseph, is Englewood’s native son and an avid marathoner whom some may know as the captain of the Englewood NJ Fire Department and the Founder/Director of Achilles NJ Chapter which pairs disabled Athletes and guides to promote personal achievement through running, walking and rolling.
He is fueled by a lifelong affinity for community service now instilled in his three adult children whose careers are all dedicated to the service of others. Joe has established the NJ chapter “with a lot of help” in 2018 to serve about twelve dedicated Athletes, including Jenny. They all continue to be foundational members of the group while Joe’s unique brand of love and dedicated enthusiasm for the Achilles mission—of helping Athletes with disabilities to experience the joy of achievement—has led the NJ chapter to grow exponentially. It boasts six new chapters across the area.
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
Dick Traum founded Achilles International in 1983 after becoming the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon. Achilles International today has chapters in all hemispheres, and Achilles NJ itself has 1000 members now, with Elisheva Jasie, a fellow avid marathoner and Achilles guide, its stalwart Chief of Staff. Longtime guide Andrea Quaregna took on the Chapter Leader role upon Joe’s promotion to Director. Together, their dedication to the Athletes and mission knows no bounds.
On Sunday, September 27th, everyone will be dedicating their race to lovingly remember Kenny Franco, Jr. in celebration of an extraordinary Athlete and dear friend to all at Achilles NJ.
The Achilles New Jersey Hope & Possibility 2026 - In Loving Memory of Kenny Franco Jr. gets underway at Rochelle Park on Sunday, September 27th at 9:00AM.
500 Athletes for the annual hope & possibility 4-miler
Achilles NJ Athlete Kenny Franco, Jr. in Central Park with his guides including Elisheva Jasie (next to Kenny).
Athletes of all ages and abilities are welcome and encouraged to attend, and the Kids Fun Run is free. Every September, 500 Athletes gather for camaraderie to walk, run and roll their way to achievement in Rochelle Park.
That is, those Athletes who are not already en route to Europe to complete the Berlin Marathon on the same day!
COMMUNITY BUILDER
Another community successfully built, these days Joe orchestrates 200 Athletes and 800 guides, coordinating handcycles, transportation, Athlete/guide pairings, and even refreshments for two workouts a week in Bergen County, and one per week in Rockland, Hudson, Essex, Mercer, Monmouth and Union Counties. Rain or shine—when not organizing all-length races, near and far. Some, like Joe, will be doing the marathon in May 2027. In South Africa.
TAKING IT ALL IN STRIDE
Now Jenny strides along the path that circles the pond and its fountain. I notice Joe’s weighted training vest worn to supercharge his speed and strength.
“How many pounds is that vest?”
“Forty.”
“Really, that’s like carrying a 5-year old!”
“More like a two-year old – but this one behaves!”
And he should know. Two years ago, Joe and his wife Ruth welcomed their first grandson. Eldest daughter Rebecca (an art therapist and Achilles guide) and her husband are expecting his brother/sister twins soon, to coincide with Joe completing the South Africa marathon.
I ask, with the communities he has built and the monumental work joyfully achieved daily:
“What is your goal now?”
“I try to be better every day. A better husband, a better father, a better citizen, a better person.”
MORE INFORMATION