Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Angela Tortorice #367 Race: 2026 Habanero Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Masters Division Winner Endures a Brutal Positive Split to the Finish Angela Tortorice, 58, of Dallas, completed the Marathon distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 19:51:52, covering 25.9 miles at an overall pace of 46:01 min/mile. Held at high noon in Texas heat with real-feel temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees, the race lived up to its billing as one of the state's most punishing trail events. Tortorice finished 20th overall out of 39 participants, 4th among all women, and 1st in the Female Masters 40+ division. Her early miles were remarkably consistent the first three miles came in between 17:23 and 18:40 per mile, holding 3rd place among women through mile 7. From there, the course and conditions took their toll: mile 8 slowed to 62:30, and by mile 9 she was running a 105:46 pace. The back half of the race saw a dramatic shift, with four consecutive "mile" segments each taking 1:37:10, reflecting the race's notoriously grinding late stages rather than a true reflection of pace, likely including extended aid-station or recovery stops. Despite this, she held her Masters lead throughout, a notable feat given that only 198 total 100-mile finishes have been recorded across the event's decade-long history a testament to how few runners endure the Habanero heat at any distance. Tortorice's performance shows real strength in early pacing discipline and heat management through the first third of the race. The pronounced slowdown after mile 8 suggests that a more conservative early pace or additional heat-mitigation strategy during the midday hours could help sustain speed deeper into the race. Given her Masters win, refining pacing consistency in future hot-weather ultras could translate strong early splits into stronger overall finishing times.