Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: Austin Opfer #20670 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Fast Start Fuels a Strong Top-10% Finish Austin Opfer crossed in 1:38:53 to finish 317th overall and 258th among men in the 2026 Boulderthon Half Marathon, placing him in the top 10% of the field. He opened aggressively, clicking off a 6:26 first mile, and held sub-7:00 pace through mile 5 before settling into a steadier rhythm over the back half, closing with a 7:32 min/mile average pace. That opening mile stood as his fastest stretch of the day, and after a natural easing through the middle miles, he found a second gear at mile 9, rebounding to 7:41 before finishing strong into downtown Boulder's Pearl Street Mall. Given the half marathon course's elevation profile in this year's redesign, holding that opening pace as long as he did reflects well on his early pacing strategy.