Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Daniel Meza #484 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Fast Start Fades Late, But Age Group Title Holds Firm Daniel Meza completed the Half Marathon at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 3:01:45, finishing 15th overall out of 110 participants and 11th among men. The race, held at the 7IL Ranch under a brutal high-noon start designed to expose runners to peak heat while fresh, lived up to its billing as one of Texas' most demanding trail events, with deep sand and triple-digit real-feel temperatures shaping the day. Meza's early splits were exceptional after a modest opening mile at 10:25, he surged to the overall race lead through miles 2 and 3, clocking 9:27 and 9:22 splits and holding the top overall position through the first six miles (10:04 min/mile pace at the 6-mile mark). However, mile 7 proved a turning point, with his split time ballooning to 24:08 and his overall position dropping from 2nd to 12th. The following miles saw continued elevated splits in the 1520 minute range before stabilizing near 1214 minutes per mile through the finish. Despite the second-half fade, Meza's early foundation was strong enough to secure first place in the M20-29 division wire-to-wire, a testament to his fast start. For future races on similarly punishing courses, building a pacing strategy that reserves more energy for the middle miles could help sustain overall position once the heat and terrain start to take their toll. Given the race's reputation where podium finishes and buckle-worthy performances are hard-earned Meza's division win stands as a solid result on a course where fewer than 200 finishers have completed the 100-mile distance in the race's history.