Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Jackson Brougher #308 Race: 2026 Habanero 50K Distance: 31.0 miles

Overcoming a Slow Start to Seize the Overall Win Jackson Brougher claimed 1st overall out of 71 finishers in the 50K at the 2026 Habanero Hundred, crossing the line in 5:40:32 (11:05 min/mile pace). The race, held on the 7IL Ranch's single 10km loop course, is billed as Texas' hottest trail event, with a high-noon start deliberately chosen to expose runners to peak heat while still fresh rather than in late-race fatigue. Brougher opened fast, running his first five miles between 9:31 and 9:32 min/mile pace and sitting 5th overall. A rough patch followed his 6th and 7th mile splits slowed to 10:44 and 12:19 before he settled into a 9:3310:59 range through mile 14, hovering between 4th and 7th place. The turning point came at mile 16, where he moved into 2nd overall, then took the outright lead at mile 19 (3:22:26 elapsed) and held it for the remainder of the race. Later splits climbed into the 1314 min/mile range as the heat and deep sand hallmarks of this course took their toll, with his 26th mile his slowest at 14:08. Despite the fade in pace over the back half, Brougher's early positioning and mid-race surge were enough to secure the overall title. For future 50K efforts on similarly demanding terrain, building a pacing strategy that better preserves mile splits in the final third could help convert a strong front-half effort into an even more dominant finish.