Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 21, 2026 Participant: Abel Gonzalez #35 Race: 2026 Habanero Habanero 135 Distance: 0.0 miles

A Gritty 130+ Mile Effort Capped by a Late-Race Surge Competing in the inaugural Habanero 135 a distance TROT added in 2026 specifically because 100 miles wasn't enough for its veteran finishers Abel Gonzalez covered 132.6 miles in 38:54:30, finishing 6th overall and 5th among men, with a 2nd-place finish in the M30-39 division out of 39 total participants. The race started briskly, with opening miles at 9:47 and 9:43 min/mile pace, holding inside the top 10 overall through the first seven miles. As the race stretched on, pace naturally settled into the mid-teens: overall pace was 16:10 min/mile at the 50-mile mark and 18:11 min/mile by mile 100, a reasonable progression given the distance and conditions. Several extended splits including a 43:28 mile near 42 miles in, a 57:31 mile near 79 miles, and a 49:45 mile past 85 miles point to longer aid-station stops or recovery walks, which is common in efforts of this length but could be tightened in future races to preserve overall time. The final stretch told the most compelling story: after grinding through the 120s in the 17-18 min/mile range, a dramatic climb followed by elapsed mile 127 (38:03:22 elapsed time), the overall position had jumped to 2nd, and gender position to 2nd as well, before settling into the final top-six result. That late move, produced after more than 38 hours on course, reflects strong closing resolve. Building pacing consistency in the back-third of the race smoothing out the long stationary splits could translate this kind of late surge into an even stronger overall placement next time.