Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Tammy Sronce #281 Race: 2026 Habanero 50K Distance: 31.0 miles

Strong Late Surge Powers a Hard-Earned Masters Title Tammy Sronce completed the 50K at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 8:12:14, finishing 20th overall out of 71 participants and claiming 1st place in the Female Masters division. Fittingly for a race billed as "Texas' hottest trail race," which starts at high noon under real-feel temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, Sronce's splits reflect the brutal conditions on the 7IL Ranch's 10km loop course. Her early pace was impressively consistent, holding a 12:26-12:27 min/mile pace through the first six miles while sitting 5th in her gender division. As the heat intensified, her pace understandably slowed, drifting into the 15-22 min/mile range through the middle miles as she settled into the 16:00-16:25 min/mile elapsed pace range for much of the race. Notably, Sronce found a second wind late in the race splits of 13:53 and 14:23 min/mile at miles 27 and 28 propelled her from 4th to briefly 1st in her gender division overall, before finishing strong to secure the Masters win with a final split of 13:21 min/mile. This race demonstrates real strength in closing ability, finishing faster than she started over the final three miles despite nearly eight hours on course in extreme heat. For future races, particularly in similarly harsh conditions, working on maintaining more consistent pacing through the middle miles rather than the pronounced slowdown seen between miles 7-26 could help preserve energy for an even stronger overall time while still allowing for that impressive closing kick. The late-race surge suggests untapped reserves that, if managed earlier, could translate into significant time gains.