Results/Photos

Date: February 8, 2025 Participant: Yukio Sakata #18257 Race: 2025 Mesa Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles Weather: Perfect running conditions at 63°F, partly cloudy skies, and a slight breeze from the east in Mesa, AZ.

Consistent Pace, Strong Finish: Impressive Performance Yukio Sakata delivered a commendable performance at the 2025 Mesa Marathon Half Marathon. Achieving a final time of 2:10:29, he maintained an average pace of 9:57 min/mile across the 13.1-mile distance. Notably, Yukio improved significantly from a previous time of 2:26:12 in the 2024 event, indicating positive progression in his training. Throughout the race, he showed strong consistency, with split times notably improving after the halfway point, including a swift 8:59 min/mile split between miles 10 and 11. In a field of 3,859 participants, Yukio secured 109th place in his M40-44 division, marking a substantial advancement from 153rd in the previous year. His strategic pace at mile 3, achieving a 9:04 min/mile split, showcases his ability to effectively adjust his speed and stamina. Continuing to focus on speed in specific miles could refine performance further in future races. Overall, a noteworthy achievement for Yukio and the Japanese Running Club team.