Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Eric Schmidt #283 Race: 2026 Habanero 50K Distance: 31.0 miles

Early Speed Gives Way to a Gritty Grind Through Texas Heat Eric Schmidt completed the 50K at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 7:34:09, finishing 14th overall and 3rd in the M30-39 division among 71 total participants. The race unfolds entirely on TROT's single 10km loop at 7IL Ranch, with 50K runners tackling five laps under conditions organizers describe as average real-feel temperatures above 100 degrees, heavy humidity, and deep sand a course designed so no runner is ever more than three miles from aid. Schmidt went out fast, covering the first five miles in 47:52 at a brisk 9:34/mile pace, good for 7th overall. He climbed as high as 2nd place overall by mile 7 (1:08:53, 10:33 pace) before the heat began to bite. From there, per-mile splits steadily lengthened crossing into the 12-13 minute range by mile 12, the mid-teens by mile 19, and eventually into the high-teens and low-20s per mile through the final third of the race, including a 21:59 split at mile 26. This progression mirrors the race's well-known reputation: the high-noon start under a 30-hour clock is deliberately placed in peak heat so runners absorb the hardest conditions while still fresh, rather than late in the effort. Schmidt's finishing pace settled at 14:47 min/mile overall, with a brief rally to 6th place overall around mile 27 before settling into the final push. Given how sharply the pace differential grew between the opening 9:30s and the closing high-teens/20s splits, a more conservative early effort could help him preserve position longer into the back half and produce a more even effort curve across the full 31 miles in future starts on this course.