Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Matthew Zipprian #501 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Fast Start Gives Way to a Grinding Finish Matthew Zipprian completed the Half Marathon at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 3:22:08, finishing 23rd overall out of 110 participants, 18th among men, and 4th in the competitive M30-39 division. The race, held on the 7IL Ranch's 10km loop course, is known for its brutal high-noon start under Texas' August heat a deliberate design choice by organizers so runners face the worst conditions while still fresh. Zipprian's race told a clear story of early strength followed by a demanding second half. Through the first seven miles, he ran consistently in the 11:1914:35 min/mile range, climbing as high as 2nd in his division and 12th among all men by mile 6. Splits during this stretch were tight, with a best mile of 11:19 (mile 2) keeping him firmly in the top 20 overall. The turning point came at mile 8, where his split time jumped to 22:52 min/mile nearly double his early pace coinciding with a drop from 2nd to 4th in his division, a position he held through the finish. The final six miles settled into a steadier but slower rhythm, with splits ranging from 15:03 to 18:46 min/mile as the heat and cumulative fatigue took their toll a pattern common in a race whose real-feel temperatures often exceed 100 degrees. For future editions, Zipprian may benefit from a more conservative opening pace to preserve energy for the back half, particularly given the course's reputation for punishing conditions. Notably, this event is run without cups at aid stations, requiring all participants to carry their own hydration a detail that underscores just how demanding the Habanero Hundred's environment truly is.