Jack Lionette, who grew up not far from the starting line, won the Chilmark Road Race on Saturday with a time of 15:51.

He was followed closely by Michael Schroeder, who finished second in the 5K race at 15:55, and Sam Fetters, who finished third at 16:18. The trio all attended the West Tisbury School, and has jockeyed for first place for the past five years.

“This is the best day of the year,” said Mr. Lionette at the finish line. “I love it so much and I’m so grateful to those who put it on.”

Multiple year winner Marian Johnson took first in the women's division. — Ray Ewing

Marian Johnson, 42, earned first place in the women’s division with a time of 17:53, placing 12th overall. Dana Lehr finished second with a time of 18:06 and Sarah Tully finished third at 18:21.

“I first won this race almost 30 years ago when I was 14,” Ms. Johnson said. “The fact that I’m still out here, I’m so grateful. This is just the best race, the best community, the most perfect way to cap the summer.”

Victory had eluded Mr. Lionette, 21, since he first entered the Chilmark Road Race at age 7. He placed second two years in a row, finishing just seconds behind Mr. Fetters in 2025 and Charlie Ortmans in 2024. He also holds the records for the 0-8 and 9-11 year old divisions.

This year, he decided to change his approach. Normally, he likes to go out hot at the start, but he decided to run a little smarter this time around.

“I stayed and paced it a little bit more, which was awesome,” Mr. Lionette said.

For him, placing first in Saturday’s race was a dream come true.

At the staring line on Middle Road. — Ray Ewing

“I can’t really describe it,” he said. “It’s one of the best moments of my life and it sounds a bit silly because it’s just a road race in Chilmark, but it’s my favorite day of the year. The best people are here. My family is here. It’s just so beautiful. It’s amazing.”

Ms. Johnson, who won in 2023, also finished second in both 2024 and 2026, just behind Lily Tuck on both occasions.

Due to the heat and humidity, this year’s race was really hard, she said, but worth it.

“I just like coming back to see the same people each year,” said Ms. Johnson. “I’ve been watching the women who are right around me since they were little kids. Now they’re in college or beyond college, and someday we’ll all be in the back, but it’s all good. It’s the circle of life.”

The Chilmark Road Race was started in 1978 by Hugh Weisman and is now in its 49th consecutive year, with Mr. Weisman still at the helm.

The course is beautiful but also hilly and hot. — Ray Ewing

“It went well today,” he said. “The weather cooperated. We had all the buses we expected. It’s always an issue to try to get everybody to the starting line on time. We did start 10 minutes late, which is not unusual, but things went smoothly.”

Though organized to function as a competitive race, it is also a community gathering.

“It’s professionally run by me and our terrific timers,” said Mr. Weisman. “So it’s a serious race but it’s also fun. People see their friends and they arrange their vacations around it.”

For full results.