The race, in three figures
The race, in words
In the Open division at Mechelen 2026, Stef Willemse crossed the line in 1:17:32: 273rd of 747 men, faster than 64% of the field.
Legs and stations told different stories: 74% of the field beaten on the runs, 47% on the stations. The sled push cost the most time: 2:30 slower than the median. Paced to finish: the second half went 4:52 better against the middle of the field than the first.
Mechelen gave the field time back: about 3:00 faster than the average race this season, by 1,568 athletes who raced both.
Eight blocks
Bar = field beaten · tick = median
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Block 01 7:06Running 1 2:44v median −0:57
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Block 02 8:49Running 2 3:46v median −0:49
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Block 03 10:06Running 3 4:39v median −0:13
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Block 04 9:33Running 4 4:22v median −0:30
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Block 05 9:29Running 5 5:03v median +0:01
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Block 06 6:43Running 6 4:34v median −0:20
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Block 07 8:19Running 7 4:29v median −0:23
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Block 08 10:38Running 8 4:47v median −0:36
Roxzone, per block
Approach · Exit 6:57
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.