Baltimore Running Festival 2015 Results: Men's, Women's Top Marathon Finishers

Former Baltimore Marathon winner Dave Berdan reclaimed his crown today, pacing the field at 2:30:22 to finish nearly five full minutes ahead of runner-up Jeremy Bennie, who came in at 2:35:16.

Last year's winner, Brian Rosenberg, finished third at 2:37:28.

It was vindication for Berdan, 34, who was forced to withdraw at mile 13 last year when he attempted to defend his 2013 title, as noted by the Baltimore Sun.

While the Baltimore does not attract an elite field, the top times represent outstanding accomplishments for avid runners on a challenging course.

According to the race's website, miles 16 to 20 of the race have been compared to Boston's legendary Heartbreak Hill. If a race draws comparisons with Heartbreak Hill, you know it's not for the weak willed. 

As this photograph tweeted by the Baltimore Sun demonstrates, the race takes place in the heart of one of America's historic, east-coast cities:

On the women's side, Caitlin Gaughan won with a time of 2:58:13. Second place went to Denise Knickman at 3:06:55 and Emily Ballantyne finished third at 3:10:51. 

The top five finishers for men and women are as follows (results courtesy of race website):

1. Dave Berdan	2:30:22
2. Jeremy Bennie	2:35:16
3. Brian Rosenberg	2:37:28
4. Sean Caskey	2:38:06
5. Nick Gehlsen	2:40:12

1. Caitlin Gaughan	2:58:13
2. Denise Knickman	3:06:55
3. Emily Ballantyne	3:10:51
4. Lauren Woolley	3:11:26
5. Alex Wang	3:12:09

Some of the thousands of racers in Baltimore, courtesy of the Sun's twitter feed:

Even with temperatures on the rise up and down the Atlantic coast, it remained a great day for running in the Charm City.