Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Brandon Cox #296 Race: 2026 Habanero 50K Distance: 31.0 miles

Fast Start Gives Way to a Gritty Grind Through the Texas Heat Brandon Cox completed the 50K distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 8:18:58, finishing 23rd overall out of 71 participants, 19th among men, and 3rd in the M40-49 division. The result came on a course that lives up to its billing as Texas' hottest trail race, with a deliberate high-noon start designed to expose runners to peak heat while still fresh rather than at the end of the effort. Cox's early splits showed real speed, opening with five consecutive miles at a 10:37 pace that had him sitting 13th overall and 2nd in the Masters division through the first 5 miles. That effort held reasonably well through mile 12, with pace drifting only into the 12:00-18:37 range as the sun took hold. Mile 13 brought a dramatic 47:35 split, likely reflecting a longer aid-station stop, after which Cox settled into a sustainable rhythm, holding mostly 15:30-17:00 per-mile pace for the remaining 18 miles. Notably, his position surged as high as 6th overall and 1st in the Masters division around mile 28, before finishing strong to lock in 3rd in his age group. The pacing curve a swift opening five miles followed by a steady decline into the mid-15 to mid-16 minute range is a common pattern on a course with no cups, mandatory personal hydration, and real-feel temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees. For future editions, a slightly more conservative opening pace could help preserve energy for the back half, particularly given how sharply the early splits contrasted with the sustained second-half effort. Overall, the finish reflects solid endurance and the ability to fight through significant heat-driven fatigue over more than 30 miles of deep Texas sand.