Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Paolo Biagi #480 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Steady Podium Push Despite Late-Race Fade in Texas Heat Paolo Biagi covered the Half Marathon distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 3:23:57, earning 2nd place in the competitive M50-59 division, 19th among 110 male finishers, and 24th overall. This result reflects a strong overall showing on a course the organizers themselves warn features real-feel temperatures above 100 degrees and deep sand conditions made tougher by the race's signature high-noon start, a deliberate design choice so runners face peak heat while still fresh. Biagi's early race pace was his strongest, opening with a 12:00 first mile and quickly settling into an 11:28-11:33 min/mile elapsed pace through mile three, good enough to sit inside the top 16 overall and top 4 in his division. From there, the effects of the heat became apparent in the split times: mile 7 slowed to a 20:05 split and mile 13 to 20:01, both nearly double his opening-mile pace. Despite this, Biagi held his position well, finishing 2nd in his division for eight of the thirteen recorded splits. The data shows a runner capable of a fast, controlled opening third before conditions took their toll in the middle and closing miles. Given the course's brutal midday exposure, building in a more deliberate pacing plan for miles 7 through 13 perhaps easing the early pace slightly to preserve more consistent splits later could help close the gap between his fastest and slowest miles. With a podium-contending division finish already secured, refining pacing strategy for extreme heat could be the next step toward an even stronger placement at future editions of this notoriously difficult race.