Fifteen-year-old Jack Lionette took home the gold in the second annual Chappaquiddick Point to Point race Sunday, finishing in 29:34.7. Avery Schuster was the fastest woman with a time of 33:18.5

Sunday brought sunny skies and a steady, westerly wind that kept the air mild as runners set off on the five-mile course that started at the Chappy ferry and looped back just after Dike Road. The course layout had been changed this year, from beginning at the Wasque parking lot and finishing at the Chappy ferry dock, to allow for more social distancing.

For many runners the event was a welcome feeling of normalcy after going months without the opportunity to participate in a road race. This was the first sanctioned race in Massachusetts by the USA Track and Field Association since the pandemic hit in March. Proceeds will be donated to the Chappaquiddick Open Space Committee and the Martha’s Vineyard Food Waste Initiative.

Campbell MacDonald crosses the finish line. The men's race was won by Jack Lionette with a time of 29:34.7. — Mark Alan Lovewell

The starting gun went off at 7:30 a.m. and runners set off in 15 minute intervals in groups of 25 to provide distance between participants. After the last wave of runners headed out, the grand total of participants stood at 156.

For Jeremy Alley-Tarter, an avid runner who normally participates in numerous road and track races throughout the year, this was his first road race since last fall when he ran the Gay Head 10K in Aquinnah.

As he warmed up, Mr. Alley-Tarter said he could “feel the adrenaline, just being here. It’s definitely a good thing.”

During the final stretch, the westerly winds that felt so good at the beginning of the race quickly became a challenge as runners headed back to the Chappy ferry. Caroline Vaughan, a first-time participant, said the later miles were also hilly.

After the event, runners were asked to quickly disperse. — Mark Alan Lovewell

“I wasn’t expecting that and there was no shade so that was definitely hard,” she said.

Megan Cerullo, who participated in the inaugural run last year, said this year felt great even with the change of course.

“I’m so glad they put it on,” she said. “I was supposed to run the half marathon in Brooklyn and I always look forward to summer races. It was nice that there were some other spectators out there.”

In particular she said there was one woman playing music from her front lawn and cheering on all the participants.

“It’s a really nice atmosphere,” she said.