Ellery Lincoln Broke Chile Pepper Meet Record
Ellery Lincoln secured a victory at the Chile Pepper cross country race with a record-breaking performance.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Track & Field
Ellery Lincoln won the Chile Pepper cross country race in Fayetteville with a time of 16:13. Her performance shattered the previous meet record of 16:40 established in 2024.
Why it matters
Lincoln set a new standard for the meet while fending off top-tier competition. Her win builds on her recent momentum in high-level distance running.
Lincoln finished the race in 16:13, followed closely by Hattie Ray Beshears at 16:15. The lead group reached the 3.5K split in 11:22 after passing the first mile in 5:26.
The players
Ellery Lincoln
She is a competitive distance runner who previously placed 5th in the World Athletics U20 Championship 1500m in August 2026.
Hattie Ray Beshears
She is a collegiate-level distance runner who recorded a 16:38 time at the Rogers State Distance event in September 2026.
The details
Lincoln secured the win ahead of runner-up Hattie Ray Beshears, while Maggie Bishop claimed third place with a time of 16:49. The field also featured strong efforts from Flannery O'Daniel and Georgia Giesinger, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Timeline
August 2026: Lincoln placed 5th in the World Athletics U20 Championship 1500m.
September 2026: Hattie Ray Beshears ran a 16:38 at the Rogers State Distance event.
Late September 2026: Ellery Lincoln recorded a 16:50 time at a local conference meet.
October 3, 2026: Lincoln won the Chile Pepper cross country race.
Season Trajectory
This win cements Lincoln's position as a top contender in the cross country circuit following her high finish at the World Athletics U20 Championship. The result sets a new benchmark for competitors aiming to challenge course records as the season progresses toward regional championships.
Lincoln's finishing time of 16:13 sets a new sub-16:20 standard for the course. Runners and coaches will look to this performance as the baseline for competitive pacing in future Fayetteville cross country events.
The takeaway
Lincoln's performance demonstrates how consistent improvement in split times can lead to historic results. Her success underscores the value of testing speed against high-level competition to prepare for championship cycles.
Further reading
For more on local distance running results, see the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MileSplit United States.
