Event benefits Dottie's House

More than 500 participants, spectators and volunteers gathered at Island Beach State Park on Oct. 12 in celebration of the first triathlon to benefit Dottie's House. The triathlon, which also featured a duathlon, had a total of 363 participants and raised more than $16,000 for the organization, according to a press release.

Dottie's House, a 17-unit apartment facility, provides housing and support services along with a training program for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. This nonprofit transitional housing program is designed to empower women to gain emotional and financial independence and to break the generational cycle of domestic violence.

Paul DiPasquale of Backstage Entertainment donated his services and provided the music.

The triathlon began with a quarter-mile ocean swim and was followed by a 10-mile bicycle ride and a 5-kilometer run through the state park, which lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay.

The winner, Dave Slavinski from Point Pleasant, crossed the finish line at 48:10. The second-place male was Joe Donahue, also from Point Pleasant, who finished at 50:22, and was followed by the third-place male, Stephen Delmonte, who finished at 50:49.

The female finishers were: first place, Midge Kerr (57:11), second place, Diane Rodgers (57:40), and third place, Laura Linenberg (1:00:37).

The duathlon consisted of a 2-mile run, 10-mile bicycle ride and 5K run. The male finishers were: first place, Dave Dixon (57:25), second place, Evan Redos (1:02:11), and third place, Dave Casal (1:02:35). The female finishers were: first place, Catherine Satzke (1:00:33), second place, Lorrie Beck (1:03:10), and third place, Tammy Guld (1:04:44).

Participants ranged from 11 to 70 years of age and traveled from near and far to take part in the event. While a majority of the participants were from the tri-state area, many came from as far north as Maine and as far south as Maryland, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The race was followed by a lunch of pasta and chicken, which was donated by Carrabba's Italian Grill of Brick, and an awards ceremony where participants from 10 age categories received plaques and gift certificates.

"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors, donors, participants, staff members and volunteers. Your support has allowed us to provide services to the 17 women and 38 children who reside at Dottie's House as they strive to break free from the vicious cycle of domestic violence," said Carol A. Wolfe, founder and executive director of Dottie's House.