Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: James Bowden #11684 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Steady Early Miles Give Way to a Determined Closing Push James Bowden finished the marathon in 3:54:04, placing 292nd overall and 232nd among men out of the field of 3,305. His race unfolded in two distinct phases: a tightly controlled first half holding between 8:34 and 9:07 per mile, followed by a natural easing over the final 10K as splits drifted into the 9:20-9:44 range. His strongest mile came at mile 11, an 8:02 split that stood out as the fastest full mile of his day, sitting just after the halfway mark before the pace gradually settled. That late-race stretch carried him past the lululemon Power-Up Zone near mile 22.5, right as his pace eased into the 9:20s and 9:40s. Given Boulder's elevation above 5,000 feet, holding sub-9:00 pace through the first 21 miles reflects strong pacing discipline. A touch more reserve in the middle miles could help sustain that early rhythm deeper into the back half next time out.