Results/Photos

Date: Feb. 14, 2026 Participant: Eugene Belleza #10946 Race: 2026 Mesa Marathon Distance: 26.2 miles

Dynamic Pacing with Strategic Surge Eugene Belleza's race at the 2026 Mesa Marathon was marked by a strategic and fluctuating pace, completing the 26.2-mile course with an elapsed time of 3:38:53, averaging an 8:21 min/mile pace. His race began with a steady pace of around 7:49-7:52 min/mile for the first five miles, displaying a consistent rhythm. A noticeable surge occurred between miles 11 and 14, with paces hitting as low as 7:25 min/mile. He reached his peak placement at mile 12, securing 279th overall and 25th in the M45-49 division. The race concluded with a more challenging final stretch. Miles 19 to 26 saw an increase in split times, peaking at 10:11 min/mile at mile 22. Comparing to his 2017 performance where he completed a marathon in 3:33:11, the latest results indicate the need for strategic endurance in maintaining speed in later miles. Strengthening pace endurance towards the end stages will help leverage initial gains in overall standings.