Results/Photos

Date: Aug. 22, 2026 Participant: Blaise Halbrook #468 Race: 2026 Habanero Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Early Division Lead Fades in Late-Race Slowdown Blaise Halbrook, 38, of Gilmer, TX, completed the Half Marathon distance at the 2026 Habanero Hundred in 3:19:37, finishing 21st overall out of 110 participants, 16th among men, and 3rd in the M30-39 division. The race held on TROT's 7IL Ranch course, notorious for its deliberate high-noon start designed to expose runners to peak heat while still fresh covered 13.2 miles due to the event's short bolt-on section added to the standard 10km loop. Halbrook's early race pace was strong, holding the overall division lead (1st in M30-39) through the first five miles with splits ranging from 10:43 to 14:54 min/mile. However, from mile 6 onward, his pace slowed considerably, with split times climbing to the 15-18 min/mile range for the remainder of the race. This shift coincided with a drop from 1st to 3rd in his division and a slide from 10th to 21st overall by the finish. Notably, his slowest split (18:20 min/mile) came at mile 7, suggesting the midrace stretch was where the course and conditions took the greatest toll. Given the Habanero Hundred's reputation for average real-feel temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and its intentional decision to start runners in full sun, Halbrook's early pace and subsequent fade reflect a common pattern among competitors tackling this course. His strong start suggests a solid aerobic base, but the pacing curve indicates an opportunity to better manage effort in the race's early miles to preserve position over the back half. Given the demanding heat and terrain, refining pacing strategy for the middle miles could help maintain positioning and finish times more consistent with the race's early pace in future events.