The race, in three figures
The race, in words
In the Open division at Mechelen 2026, Paul Ten Haaf crossed the line in 1:15:48: 241st of 747 men, faster than 68% of the field.
Legs and stations told different stories: 80% of the field beaten on the runs, 49% on the stations. No single station decided it: every one landed within 0:15 of the median. Stronger after halfway: 1:04 better against the middle of the field than before it.
Mechelen ran fast: the 1,568 athletes who also raced elsewhere this season were about 3:00 quicker here than at their other races.
Eight blocks
Bar = field beaten · tick = median
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Block 01 7:28Running 1 3:03v median −0:38
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Block 02 6:31Running 2 3:56v median −0:39
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Block 03 8:41Running 3 4:17v median −0:35
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Block 04 10:08Running 4 4:25v median −0:27
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Block 05 9:04Running 5 4:25v median −0:37
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Block 06 6:37Running 6 4:19v median −0:35
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Block 07 8:59Running 7 4:07v median −0:45
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Block 08 11:43Running 8 4:41v median −0:42
Roxzone, per block
Approach · Exit 6:45
Against the middle of your field
Men · n = 743
A pace, not a person: at every mat, the middle of the 743 men who finished.