Results/Photos

Date: Feb. 1, 2026 Participant: Joey Blatnik #21858 Race: 2026 Surf City Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Consistent Effort with Strategic Pacing Increase Joey Blatnik demonstrated a strategic pacing strategy during the 2026 Surf City Marathon. Starting with an 8:02 min/mile pace for the first mile, he smoothly increased his speed through mile 5, clocking in at an impressive 7:32 min/mile. By maintaining a steady pace around the 7:30 mark in the mid-section of the race, Joey secured advantageous positions, notably improving his standings from 320th overall at the first mile to breaking into the top 150 overall in subsequent moments. Despite a slight slowdown in the latter miles, with paces over 8:00 min/mile starting from mile 19, Joey successfully concluded the marathon with an overall 7:45 min/mile pace. Notably, he placed 7th in his division for the final mile, showcasing endurance and determination. For future races, a focus on maintaining that strong mid-race form can prove beneficial in climbing further in rankings while sustaining energy over the full distance.