NYC Half 2026 — X35-39: Gandolphe Takes the Title in 1:30:32

• Romain Gandolphe (age 36, Montreal) won the X35-39 group in 1:30:32 at a 6:54/mi average — over a minute clear of runner-up Pierce Lydon.
• Pierce Lydon (age 37, Middle Vlg, NY) finished 2nd in 1:31:39, posting the 10th-fastest women's split on the 20K-to-finish stretch to close strongly.
• Michael Brydges (age 38, Williamstown, NJ) rounded out the podium in 1:37:25 — nearly six minutes back of Lydon but well clear of the rest of the field.
• A wide spread defined this group: 16 finishers ranged from Gandolphe's 1:30:32 to Capria Berry's 4:56:27, a gap of over three and a half hours.

Romain Gandolphe controlled the X35-39 race from the front, running a composed 6:54/mi through a crisp 40°F morning in New York. He posted the 11th-fastest women's split on the 5K-to-10K segment and held his position steadily, finishing 1:07 ahead of Lydon. That margin wasn't enormous, but it was never seriously threatened.

Pierce Lydon's race told a more turbulent story. He slid from 9th among women early to 16th by 20K before rallying to 12th at the finish — that late surge was real, backed by the 10th-fastest women's split on the final 20K-to-finish leg. He left the course moving in the right direction, even if the early miles cost him a shot at Gandolphe. Michael Brydges (3rd, 1:37:25) and Sean Holmquest (4th, 1:42:02) were steady if unremarkable, each holding consistent positions throughout.

Behind the top five — all of whom finished under 1:43 — the remainder of the X35-39 field spread out considerably. Eric Hill (8th, 1:58:15) was the next finisher under two hours, while the back half of the group ranged from 2:37 to nearly five hours. Capria Berry (16th, Brooklyn) crossed in 4:56:27 at 22:37/mi to close out the group. On a fast course on a cold, clear March morning, Gandolphe's winning time stood as a convincing benchmark for the 35-39 age group.