Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: Matthew Helms #25981 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Strong Start Fuels a Top-Tier Half Finish Matthew Helms finished the 2026 Boulderthon Half Marathon in 1:20:42, placing 42nd overall and 36th among men in a field of 7,223. That's a step back from his 2025 result here, where he ran 1:18:09 for 27th overall. Still, both performances reflect strong, consistent racing. Helms opened fast, covering the first six miles between 5:41 and 5:56 per mile, holding an elapsed pace under 5:50 through the halfway point. That opening stretch stood as the fastest sustained running of his race. The back half brought a gradual fade, with mile splits settling into the 6:196:36 range as he approached the lululemon Power-Up Zone near mile 9.5, an area that saw his mile splits hover around 6:26. Racing at altitude in Boulder, over a mile above sea level, Helms closed strong, crossing the finish on the Pearl Street Mall with pace management that could be smoothed slightly in the closing miles if he aims to close the gap on last year's mark.