Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: Bethany Owen #10242 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Steady Early Pace Carries Through Boulder's Altitude Before a Late Fade Bethany Owen completed the marathon in 4:08:14, finishing 106th among women. Her race unfolded in two distinct phases: a long, controlled first two-thirds followed by a natural slowdown over the closing miles. Through mile 18, she held a remarkably tight band between 8:41 and 9:24 per mile, cumulative pace never drifting outside 8:509:02 min/mile a strong sign of even effort across the marathon's midsection. From mile 19 onward, her per-mile splits eased into the 10:0010:56 range as fatigue set in, nudging her overall pace from 9:05 to 9:28 min/mile by the finish. That opening 18-mile stretch stands as the highlight of the day, sustained at altitude in a city sitting above 5,000 feet. Given how well that section held together, a slightly more conservative start could help preserve more of that rhythm into the closing miles next time.