Results/Photos

Date: February 8, 2025 Participant: Brian Cota #10931 Race: 2025 Mesa Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles Weather: Perfect running conditions at 63°F, partly cloudy skies, and a slight breeze from the east in Mesa, AZ.

Steady Pacing with Mid-Race Challenges Brian maintained a steady pace throughout the 2025 Mesa Marathon, completing the distance in 5:31:32 with an average pace of 12:39 min/mile. Notably, after a slower start with a 19:43 pace for the first mile, he picked up in the second mile, moving from a 19:43 to a 15:54 min/mile split. Consistency was evident from miles 4 to 8, as his pace ranged between 10:31 and 10:52 min/mile, showcasing strong mid-race endurance. However, there was a noticeable decline in pace beginning at mile 18. The slowest split occurred between miles 21 and 22 at a 16:25 min/mile. As a coach, I would recommend focusing on building endurance during the latter part of long runs to maintain his earlier consistency. Despite challenges, Brian's effort placed him within the top 80% of participants. Consistency and endurance were his strong suits in this marathon effort. Keep training with a focus on the later stages of the race!