Combe Won Women’s Title at Chile Pepper Festival
Freshman Braelyn Combe secured a victory in the 5,000-meter race in Fayetteville.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Track & Field
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Freshman Braelyn Combe won the women's 5,000-meter race at the Chile Pepper Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Arkansas women's team also captured the overall team title at Agri Park.
Why it matters
The victory highlights a strong performance for the Arkansas cross country program as they move deeper into their 2026 schedule. Combe managed to edge out the competition in the final moments of the race to secure the win for her team.
Braelyn Combe finished the race in 15:59.0, narrowly beating Dorcas Jepkosgei who finished in 15:59.1. Arkansas claimed the team title with 69 points, finishing ahead of Tulsa and UT Arlington.
The players
Braelyn Combe
She is a freshman cross country athlete for the University of Arkansas.
Dorcas Jepkosgei
She is a competitive collegiate distance runner who placed second in the 5,000-meter race.
Paityn Noe
She is an Arkansas cross country runner who previously won the 2023 Chile Pepper Festival.
The details
Braelyn Combe accelerated approximately 500 meters from the finish line to pass Dorcas Jepkosgei in the final moment. Several other Arkansas runners contributed to the winning team score, including Paityn Noe, who placed seventh with a time of 16:17.8.
Timeline
Saturday, October 3, 2026: The Chile Pepper Festival race occurred at Agri Park.
October 9, 2026: Arkansas men will compete at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational.
October 16, 2026: The Arkansas women's team will compete at the Arturo Barrios Invitational.
Season Trajectory
This win positions the Arkansas women's team as a dominant force heading into the latter half of the season. The squad is now focused on maintaining this momentum at the Arturo Barrios Invitational to bolster their regional standings.
Arkansas finished with 69 team points, establishing a 14-point margin over runner-up Mississippi State. This result significantly strengthens the team's standing in current regional rankings.
The takeaway
Braelyn Combe demonstrates that freshman athletes can make an immediate impact on championship-caliber rosters. Consistency in the final 500 meters of a race remains a defining factor in securing close victories in collegiate cross country.
What happens next
The Arkansas men's team will travel to compete at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational on October 9, 2026. The women's team is scheduled for the Arturo Barrios Invitational on October 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate events, see the Track & Field section.
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