Ackerman, Dreyer, Marko
first in Mountain Bike Race
Middletown’s Brian Ackerman took advantage of home terrain to capture Monmouth County Park System’s Woods Hollow Classic Mountain Bike Race held in Tatum Park, Holland Road, Middletown.
The race, which took cyclists over the open fields and woodlands of Tatum Park, was contested in two categories: beginner (7.5 miles) and sport (11.25 miles).
The 17-year-old Ackerman negotiated the 7.5-mile beginner course in 28:54, finishing almost three minutes ahead of runner-up William Beckett of Marlboro (31:05).
New York City’s Amanda Dreyer, 33, won the women’s beginner race, posting a 39:32. She was 53 seconds quicker than Linden’s Debra Stevens (39:32).
Bloomfield’s Chris Marko, 39, toured the sport course of 11.25 miles in 50:00, taking first place.
Rounding out the Top 10 in the men’s beginner division were Dave Hallman, Wrightstown (31:45); John Hellmers, Rumson (31:59); Timothy Domas, Rochester, Vt. (32:03); Otey Register, Middletown (32:33); Ghylslain Osmont, Colts Neck (32:53); Bob Hohenstein, Brielle (33:13); Ed Norlander, Englishtown (33:18); and Michael Himich, South River (33:20).
Other locals with high finishes were Tony Deorio, Eatontown, 14th (33:55); Tom Volk, Fair Haven, 19th (34:26); Michael Altland, Middletown, 20th (35:06); and Michael Durning, Freehold, 25th (36:35).
The women’s beginner Top 10 behind Dreyer and Stevens were Marie Derose, New York City (40:27); Laury Wills, Little Silver (41:54); Victoria Walton, Neptune (43:07); Lauren Szemple, Bayonne (44:41); Linda DeGroot, Colts Neck (47:19); Amy Hover, Leonardo (49:01); Karyn Depontes, Holmdel (50:21) and Jaime Shuff, Highlands (50:27).
Other local finishers were Melissa Maxted, Atlantic Highlands, 11th (52:44); Nicole Himich, South River, 13th (53:59); Alexandra VonArx, Little Silver, 15th (59:24); and Ellen Odom, Eatontown, 18th (1:08:53).
In the sport division, Catherine Hosley of Bradley Beach was the runner-up to Marko, completing the longer 11.25-mile course in 54:45. Third place went to Cindy Abrams of East Windsor, (1:12:17).
For more information on upcoming Monmouth County Park System events, call (732) 542-1642.

