Results/Photos

Date: Feb. 14, 2026 Participant: Matthew Nelson #16533 Race: 2026 Mesa Half Marathon Distance: 13.1 miles

Consistent Pacing with Late Challenges Matthew Nelson, representing Crafty Unc's, participated in the 2026 Mesa Marathon Half Marathon. Over the 13.1-mile course, he completed in 2:14:12 with an average pace of 10:14 min/mile. Notably, his early miles showed strong and consistent performance. Miles 1 through 3 showed steady improvement in pacing, beginning with a 9:25 min/mile and reaching a swift 9:06 min/mile. However, as the race progressed, the pace began to decelerate, notably in the last few miles. While beginning with a solid ninth-overall pace in his division at mile 8, the pace gradually dropped to 11:49 min/mile by the 13th mile. Focusing on maintaining pace in the latter stages could be beneficial. Staying consistent throughout will undoubtedly contribute to personal bests in the future. Overcoming challenges towards the end will enhance race results and overall placement. Keep up with the enthusiasm and continue to refine strategies.