Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Maria Mijares #520 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Early Speed Anchors a Division Title Despite a Mid-Race Fade Maria Mijares of Cypress, TX, closed out the Half Marathon distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 2:52:39, an overall pace of 13:04 per mile. Out of 110 total participants, Mijares finished 10th overall and 4th among all women, while claiming first place in the competitive F30-39 division a fitting result given that this event is run in some of the most brutal conditions in Texas trail racing, with real-feel temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees on deep sand terrain. The race data shows a fast and aggressive start: Mijares opened with an 8:50 first mile and held the overall female lead from mile 2 through mile 6, with splits consistently in the 10:0011:30 min/mile range. That effort briefly slipped in the middle miles mile 7 slowed to 17:13 and mile 8 ballooned to 20:49, dropping her from 1st to 4th among women. This stretch coincides with the course's midpoint, near where the "Hot Tamales" aid station and the heart of the day's heat exposure would have factored in. Mijares showed resilience in the closing miles, rebuilding rhythm with a 10:22 split at mile 12 before finishing strong. For future races, particularly in extreme-heat conditions like the Habanero, targeting a more even effort through the middle miles could help preserve the sharp early pace and potentially convert that overall female lead into a final podium finish. Still, taking the F30-39 title in a demanding field is a strong result, and the front-half speed on display is a clear foundation to build from.