Second Sgro Memorial Fun Run Shaping Up For September

Still in the early planning stages, the second Joe Sgro Memorial Fun Run is scheduled for Sept. 13-15 and—as it was in its inaugural running last year—will be based out of Liberty Landing in New Jersey. Joe Cibellis, a longtime New Jersey-based friend of Sgro, the former Outerlimits Offshore Powerboats president/investor and offshore racer who died from injuries sustained during a poker run in 2017, is once again spearheading the event.

“This event is a way for Joe’s family and friends to show how much he meant to us and the boating world,” said Cibellis, who set an Around-Long-Island record with Sgro in an Outerlimits SV 43 sportboat in 2011. “This year, I already have commitments from (veteran offshore racers) Steve Curtis, Billy Mauff and Peter Meyer to participate.

“We’re also looking for sponsors,” he added. “And all of the money we raise during the weekend will go to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.”

Last year’s event saw 44 registered boats and 300 attendees enjoy the weekend, which included a Friday night banquet celebration, a fun/lunch run on Saturday and a more-casual event that Saturday evening. The event also reportedly raised $25,000 for the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, which serves the New York’s Hudson River Valley region and Fairfield, Conn., area.

Photographer Tim Sharkey will return to the shoot the second-year event. New for the 2019 happening, Anthony Scioli of Elite Poker Runs LLC has been enlisted by Cibellis to help organize the event.

Joe Sgro (center) raced overseas in mid 2000s with Nigel Hook (left) and Outerlimits founder Mike Fiore (right).

“They had an impressive first year and I would like to build on that,” Scioli said, then chuckled. “Plus, I have a hard time saying no.”

Though Cibellis is urging those interested in attending to “make their calendars,” registration for the event has not yet opened.

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