Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: John Leal #364 Race: 2026 Habanero Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Early Speed Gives Way to a Gritty Second Half Racing the marathon distance at this ranch-based ultra event where the 10K loop course keeps runners within three miles of aid but exposes them to average real-feel temperatures north of 100 degrees John Leal completed 25.9 miles in 8:14:34, an overall pace of 19:05 per mile. He finished 12th overall out of 39 competitors and 4th in the M30-39 division, on a course built entirely from repeated 10km loops (four laps plus a bolt-on segment for the marathon distance). The splits tell a clear story of two race phases. Through the first seven miles, Leal moved briskly, holding sub-15:00 pace and sitting 11th-12th overall. From mile 8 onward, split times steadily lengthened including a 33:07 split at mile 8 and a 40:25 split at mile 15 pushing his cumulative pace past 19:00/mile by the second half. Notably, Leal found a strong surge between miles 22 and 23, briefly climbing to 6th overall and 1st in his division with back-to-back splits of 15:24 and 18:03, before settling back to 12th overall and 4th in division by the finish. The early pace, nearly five minutes per mile faster than the closing miles, points to a classic front-loaded effort in demanding heat a pattern common on this course, which is intentionally started at high noon so runners absorb heat exposure while fresh. Building a more even effort across the loops, particularly through the historically tough middle miles (8-15), could help convert that late-race surge into a stronger overall pace next time. The late rally in miles 22-23 shows real reserve capacity a promising sign for future pacing strategy on this demanding, loop-based course.