Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: Hope Matschner #10426 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Strong Midrace Surge Fuels Steady Marathon Finish Hope Matschner completed the marathon in 4:22:46, an average pace of 10:01 per mile. Her early miles settled into a consistent 9:40s-9:50s rhythm through the first ten miles, holding elapsed pace within a narrow band. A notable surge arrived between miles 15 and 17, where she clicked off 9:31, 9:29, and 9:32 her fastest sustained stretch of the day. The closing miles brought some natural cooling, with splits drifting into the 10:30s and 11:00s between miles 21 and 25, before she rallied with a 9:40 finishing mile. Running a marathon at Boulder's altitude of over 5,000 feet adds a layer of difficulty to any pacing plan, and Matschner's ability to bank a strong mid-race stretch before the later miles caught up with her reflects sound overall execution. Continuing to build strength for those final miles could help her carry more of that midrace momentum to the finish next time.