Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: John Kelley #557 Race: 2026 Habanero 10K Distance: 6.2 miles

Fast Start Holds Firm for Third-Place Finish in Sweltering Heat John Kelley, 42, of Katy, Texas, placed third overall out of 49 finishers in the 10K at the 2026 Habanero Hundred, crossing the line in 55:33 for a 9:06 min/mile average pace. Kelley's race unfolded on the notorious 7IL Ranch course, part of an event that begins with a deliberately brutal high-noon start in triple-digit real-feel heat a design choice organizers use so runners absorb the worst conditions while still fresh. Kelley opened aggressively, clocking an 8:22 first mile that put him 4th overall and atop the Masters division. He maintained that Masters lead through mile two (8:15 elapsed pace) before a natural shift in the standings moved him into 3rd overall by mile four, a position he held for the remainder of the race. His middle miles were his strongest stretch, particularly a 8:19 split at mile five, but the closing mile slowed considerably to an 11:44 split nearly 3:30 off his early pace before finishing the final 0.1 to complete the 6.1-mile distance. That late fade is worth addressing in training: building in heat-specific conditioning or practicing sustained effort through the final mile could help close the gap between his early speed and late-race durability. Given how well he executed the opening 5K, a more even pacing strategy in the closing stretch could convert a strong start into an even stronger finish. Overall, a solid top-three showing in a competitive 49-runner field, with early splits fast enough to lead his division outright. With the course's reputation for punishing heat and deep sand, holding a podium position despite the late slowdown reflects well on Kelley's fitness and race-day toughness.