Gathoga, Brock win Sheehan Classic race

Noel Brock of Toms River crossed the finish line first for the fourth straight year in the women’s division, and Kenyan runner James Gathoga won the men’s division on Saturday at the 17th annual George Sheehan Classic in Red Bank.

James Gathoga of Newark, crosses the finish after winning the George Sheehan Classic, held in downtown Red Bank on June 19. Gathoga finished the five-mile course that started and ended on Broad Street in 24:44.31. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Gathoga, who lists his home as Newark, crossed the line first in the five-miler with a time of 24:44.31, outpacing Craig Segal of Holmdel, who finished second in 25:22. Umar Saeed of Allentown, Pa., was third (25:26). John Smith Jr., of Old Bridge was fourth (25:30), and Holmdel’s George Galasso was fifth (25:40).

The 31-year-old Gathoga broke away from the pack near the two-mile mark and continued to build on his lead. Segal, who finished second for the second year in a row, won the Sheehan in 2008. Earlier this year, Segal won the Spring Lake Five. Segal was a state champion at 3,200 meters at Holmdel High School and went on to run for Villanova University and Monmouth University.

Jacqueline Cherko stretches her muscles. Galasso is another ex-Hornet star who is now a freshman at Princeton University.

Completing the top 10 were: Tim Mulligan, Whiting (25:43); Thomas Dichiara, Atlantic Highlands (26:41); Jeffrey Dichiara, Atlantic Highlands, (26:53); Nick Dichiara, Lincroft (28:12.79); and Jeffrey Sundberg, Monmouth Junction (28:31.02).

Meanwhile, Brock, 32, turned in what for her is almost a routine performance, stopping the clock at 28:35.59. She was 12th overall. The head track coach at Toms River North easily outdistanced Dactilla Booth of Long Branch, who finished in 31:17.79 Caitlin Dorgan of Red Bank finished third in 31:52.

Mattnew Mullen (l) of Annapolis, Md., sprints toward the finishing line of the George Sheehan Classic in Red Bank. Monmouth Beach’s Marissa Alberti (31:55) and Toms River’s Alison Pilkington (31:57) were fourth and fifth.

The Spring Lake Five and the Sheehan Classic are the first two events of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, which also includes the Belmar 5 (July 10), the Asbury Park 5K (Aug. 14) and the CPC Pier House 5K (Long Branch, Sept. 6). Brock swept all five a year ago to take the Women’s Grand Prix title, while Robert Cavenaugh of West Long Branch won the men’s crown.

Brock, who won the Spring Lake Five for the third straight time in May, is off to a good start this time around.

In all, 1,550 runners finished the fivemile Sheehan event. In addition, a series of kids’ races, a wheelchair race and a health and fitness walk were also held. Proceeds from the event benefits the Parker Clinic and The Community YMCA, along with several other local organizations, race director Phil Hinck said.

Runners take off from Broad Street for the start of the George Sheehan Classic, a five-mile run in Red Bank. More than 1,500 runners participated in the race held on June 19. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Other area runners in the top 50 overall include Thomas and Jeffrey Dichiara of Atlantic Highlands, who finished seventh and eighth, respectively with times of 26:40 and 26:52. Nick DiChiara of Lincroft was ninth in 28:12.

Red Bank’s Ronald Torres finished 13th (28:51), Sean Rath of Lincroft was 17th (29:21), Tom Falvey of Long Branch was 19th (29:30), Brendan Swan of Freehold crossed 21st (29:44), followed by Luciano Deolivera of Long Branch (30:03), Bob Horn of Red Bank (30:07) and Erik Camp of Shrewsbury, who was 24th overall (30:08).

Other top 50 finishers included: Nick Pizzi of South Amboy, Robert Ballon of South River, Brian Hill of Middletown, Jeff Cody of Holmdel, Matthew Jacobsen of Marlboro, James Yanuzzelli of Sayreville and Mark McGuigan and Ryan Corbett, both of Fair Haven.

Finishing among the top 10 women were: former Middletown South star Tina Morris, eighth (32:30), Atlantic Highlands; Kristine Clausen, ninth (33:06); and Little Silver’s Dawn Wicox (33:31), 10th.

Other area women finishing among the top 25 were: Susan Flynn of Rumson, Gabby Barret of Freehold, Caitlin Koob of Jackson, Kerri Walker of Tinton Falls, Nicole Corre of Little Silver, Maureen Nocella of Red Bank, Ann O’Dowd of Colts Neck and Kelly Wojciehowski of Fair Haven.