Results/Photos

Date: Sept. 27, 2026 Participant: Ellie Smith #13178 Race: 2026 Boulderthon Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Strong Finishing Kick Carries Steady Marathon Effort Ellie Smith completed the marathon in 4:05:09, averaging 9:21 per mile. Her race unfolded in two distinct phases: an even opening through 10 miles near 9:25 pace, a mid-race dip through miles 1114 that pushed her cumulative pace out toward 9:40, and a sustained rally over the second half that pulled her back down to 9:21 by the finish. Her strongest stretch came from miles 16 through 18, where she covered three consecutive miles in 8:49, 8:20, and 8:40 comfortably her fastest mile-plus segment of the day before holding mostly sub-9:30 pace over the closing 10K. Racing at altitude in Boulder, sitting above 5,000 feet, adds context to that late surge. The marathon course runs out past Boulder Reservoir and county backroads before finishing on the Pearl Street Mall, and Smith's final miles suggest she used that closing stretch to good effect. Given the late-race strength, a touch more patience through the middle miles could help her carry that same closing speed over a longer portion of the course next time.