Results/Photos

Date: Feb. 14, 2026 Participant: Paul Hagood #11898 Race: 2026 Mesa Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Consistent Improvement Despite Slower Start Paul Hagood from Payson, AZ, showed strong resilience in the 2026 Mesa Marathon, completing the 26.2-mile course in 6:24:03. Notable for starting at a quicker 10:17 min/mile pace in the first mile, Paul's pace slowed, averaging 14:39 min/mile overall. The early miles reflected a drop in placements, with mile splits as high as a 12:34 min/mile for the second mile. During mid-race, Paul demonstrated a notable improvement in his rank, particularly during mile 8, advancing impressively in division standings. Though Paul's position fluctuated throughout the race, he effectively stabilized his pacing towards the latter half, maintaining a consistent range close to 14:40 min/mile in the final miles. His dedication was reflected in his ability to maintain competitiveness, finishing 217th in his division out of 3509 participants. Future focus on sustaining the strong initial pace throughout the race could enhance Paul's performance further in upcoming events. Keep building on this effort!