Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Russell Beydler #548 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Overall Champion Surges Late to Claim the Win Russell Beydler, 41, of Maud, TX, topped the podium at the 2026 Habanero Hundred half marathon, crossing the line in 2:23:02 (10:50/mile) to take first overall and first in the men's division out of 110 total participants. Beydler's race was a study in resilience. He opened strong, sitting 2nd overall through mile 1, but a slower second split (12:30/mile) dropped him to 14th overall and 10th among men by mile 2. From there, he methodically clawed his way back cracking the top 10 by mile 3 and holding steady inside the top 3 for the bulk of the race. A decisive closing kick, including a 9:17 split at mile 12 and a strong 10:34 final mile, propelled him from 2nd to 1st overall in the race's final stretch, capping the effort with a 2:21:23 elapsed time entering the last mile before finishing in 2:23:02. This victory came on one of Texas' most demanding courses the Habanero Hundred is run on a single 10km loop at the 7IL Ranch, designed so no runner is ever more than three miles from aid, with real-feel temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees and mandatory personal hydration required for all participants due to the race's cupless format. Given the brutal conditions, Beydler's ability to negotiate a mid-race dip and still finish with negative-split intensity over the final miles speaks to strong late-race management. For future efforts, tightening the pacing consistency in the early-to-mid miles particularly avoiding the fade seen around mile 2 could help him bank an even faster overall time from the start.