Paul Ryan of BU won the 15th annual Martha’s Vineyard 20-miler

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Michael Amster of Concord, number 390, and Marc Blandin of Plymouth, number 232, were among the nearly 500 runners competing in the Martha's Vineyard 20-miler Saturday. The start was at the Steamship Authority. terminal in Vineyard Haven. — Photo by Ezra Newick

Paul Ryan of Boston and Boston University led a pack of 486 runners over the finish line of the annual Martha’s Vineyard 20-mile road race to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. Mr. Ryan, 31, ran the course in 1:51.45.

A total of 496 runners registered for the race, 140 more than last year and just 4 shy of the cutoff figure of 500. Of those, 398 finished. “It is common for about 20 percent of registered runner to not run due to training injuries and other reasons,” Peter Lambos, Boys and Girls Club executive director and race co-ordinator, said.

The crowd of runners enjoyed a brisk, all but windless and cloudless, morning start – ideal distance running conditions. “The whole event went great,” Mr. Lambos said. “The volunteers and police did an excellent job keeping the runners safe on the course, and the weather was unbelievable.”

The race began on time at 11 am from the Steamship Authority office in Tisbury. Jake Churchill, 38, of North Easton was second at 1:59:40. The third place finisher was Jon Chesto, 40, of South Boston with a time of 2:00:17.

The fleetest female finishers were: (1) Emily Raymond, 20, of Cambridge, in 2:13:11; (2) Claire Gadrow, 42, of South Kingston, R.I., in 2:16:25; and (3) Sarah Anderson of Newton in 2:18:25.

Jose Alves, 35, of Oak Bluffs was the top Island runner. He finished in 31st place with a time of 2:16:09.

Hilda Lewis, 30, of Vineyard Haven had the best time among Island women. She ran the 20 miles in 2:34:39.

The oldest runner in the group of competitors to finish was George Graeber, 69, of Orleans. He crossed the finish line 4 hours, 8 minutes and 45 seconds after the race began.

For the first time, Vineyard marathoner extraordinaire Bill Brown ran in the race he co-founded with Kathy O’Sullvan 15 years ago. Bill finished 288th in 3:06:52.

In addition to leader Joe Alves and Bill Brown, male Vineyarders who made the run included Jim Lanctot, 46, Oak Bluffs (2:26:50); David Diriwachter, 42, Vineyard Haven 2:37:07); Leonard Verville, 48, Oak Bluffs (2:39;47); Todd Cleland, 42, Oak Bluffs (2:41:59); Reaan Stankamp, 44, Vineyard Haven (2:54:33);Blake Edmunds, 37, Vineyard Haven (3:03:59); Greg Rollins, 48, Edgartown (3:21:49); Skipper Manter, 54, West Tisbury (3:50:59); Matthew Millman, 41, Edgartown (3:51:47); and Peter Hatt, 45, Edgartwon (3:53:06).

In addition to Ms. Lewis, female Vineyard runners included: Marylee Schroeder, 47, West Tisbury (2:42:51); Joellen Bendavid, 42, Oak Bluffs (2:54:50); Kim O’Callaghan, 47, Vineyard Haven (3:06:51); Jane Shelley, 23, Oak Bluffs (3:29:02); and Katie Brown, 36, Vineyard Haven (3:31:45).

The Boys and Girls Club located in Edgartown offers year-round activities including after-school programs for more than 500 Island children between 5 and 18 years of age.

A complete list of race results may be found at: www.mvbgclub.org/mv20miler/.