A relative newcomer threatened the course record and a storied winner regained her crown at the Chilmark Road Race Saturday, the 45th running of the iconic August event.

“It was good, I was happy,” said overall winner Charlie Ortmans after receiving his first place lobster and breaking the tape in a time of 14:56. The Chilmark Road Race record is 14:38, set in 1996 by Art Smith.

Ortmans, a 17-year-old from Arlington, Va. who summers in East Chop said it was only his second running of the race. Now a rising senior, Ortman’s first sprint down Middle Road took place when he was a freshman in high school.

Marian Johnson wins the women's division for the fifth time. — Mark Alan Lovewell

“The course rolled in the last mile,” he said. “A little more than I remember.”

The first woman to cross the line was Marian Johnson of Weston with a time of 17:49. With four prior women’s titles under her belt in the 24 years since she first ran the race, Ms. Johnson said this was one of the best years on the course.

“The conditions were amazing,” she said. “This is the fastest time I’ve ever gotten.”

Ortmans led the race from the gun, stepping out in front of the pace car and building a gap of more than a minute between him and second place finisher Jack Lionette.

And they're off. — Ray Ewing

Ms. Johnson also led the women’s division from the start,and finished 12th overall.

All along the course, chairs and barbecues were set up as groups of spectators cheered on the runners.

Everyone agreed, the weather conditions were perfect this year.

“This is the best one yet,” said John Woodburn, a seven-year veteran of the race.

“Great course,” added Shannon Cahalan. “It’s beautiful.”

One and two: Charlie Ortmans and Jack Lionette navigate the hilly terrain. — Ray Ewing

Runners throughout the pack lauded the friendly spirit of the race.

“Good vibes,” said David Tarcza.

Race director and founder Hugh Weisman said the race has seen some years with tough conditions, but this was not one of them. He added that the race has come a long way from its inaugural running in 1978, when runners were carted from Chilmark Town Hall to the starting line in cars and trucks. Now a fleet of buses does the job.

“We expected 100 [runners],” he said of the first race. “We were hand-making numbers.”

Forty-five years later the race grown by an order of magnitude, solidifying itself through the decades with lobsters, competition and community.

“Everybody was happy [in 1978] and came back,” Mr. Weisman said. “And now here we are.”

More pictures.

Full results.