Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: John Nagorski #456 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Late-Race Surge Powers Top-20 Half Marathon Finish John Nagorski tackled the Half Marathon distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred, held at 7IL Ranch under the race's signature high-noon start and scorching Texas conditions. He finished in 3:08:17 (14:15/mile average pace), placing 17th overall among 110 finishers, 12th in the men's field, and 3rd in the competitive M40-49 division. The event, built entirely on a single 10km loop designed so runners are never more than three miles from aid, is historically brutal only 198 total 100-mile finishes have been recorded in its ten-year history. Nagorski opened steadily, holding a 14:41/mile pace through the first three miles and sitting 49th overall. Miles 4 and 8 proved the toughest stretches, with splits slowing to 18:07 and 18:11 respectively likely reflecting the heat and terrain challenges the course is known for. From there, though, he found a strong gear: miles 9 through 12 were all run at or under 13:16, capped by a blazing 10:16 split on mile 12, his fastest of the race. That closing kick fueled a steady climb through the standings, moving him from 35th overall at mile 7 to a final 17th, while his divisional position improved from 7th to 3rd over the same stretch. This performance reflects solid endurance and a well-timed finishing kick, though the mid-race dips in miles 4 and 8 suggest an opportunity to work on maintaining rhythm through the more demanding sections of this challenging course. Building targeted heat-adaptation and pacing strategies for those middle miles could help convert an already strong closing effort into an even more even overall split next time out.