Results/Photos

Date: May 24, 2026 Participant: James Connolly #1495 Race: 2026 Vermont City Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Consistent Early Splits, Late Fatigue Shows Potential for Stronger Finish James Connolly maintained a commendable pace in the early stages of the marathon, starting with a 10:39 min/mile and quickly settling into the sub-10-minute zone between miles 2 and 14, reaching as low as 9:29 min/mile at mile 9. His steady progression improved his position to 619 overall and 50th in his division by mile 16, displaying a strategic approach to the race's early phases. However, the latter part of the marathon presented challenges, with a noticeable increase in pacing around mile 18 and onward, peaking at a 14:22 min/mile during mile 24. This shift suggests an area for pacing improvement in the second half of the race. Despite this, James concluded with an overall time of 4:49:23, participating among 1834 runners, and finished with a 11:02 min/mile pace. Focused training on endurance could enhance ability to maintain early pace longer.