Two Laredo Runners Finish 135-Mile Habanero Hundred
Alfredo Rodriguez and Carlos Peña completed the ultramarathon in about 42 hours through extreme heat and humidity.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Running
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Two Laredo runners finished the 135-mile category of the Habanero Hundred, an ultramarathon offered for the first time this year. Seventeen of 50 entrants completed the course within the 48-hour limit.
Why it matters
The finish highlights the physical demands of ultramarathon racing in extreme conditions and the completion rate for the longest distance in the event. Webb County leaders recognized the runners for the accomplishment.
The 135-mile course was the race's new longest distance, with a 48-hour maximum completion window. Rodriguez slept for 57 minutes across the race after completing the 100-mile version in the previous year.
The players
Webb County
Webb County is the Texas county whose leaders recognized the two runners with belt buckles.
Habanero Hundred
The Habanero Hundred is a Laredo-area ultramarathon that offers 100-mile and 135-mile race distances.
The details
Alfredo Rodriguez and Carlos Peña completed the Habanero Hundred together, having finished the 100-mile race as a team in 2025. The runners received belt buckles rather than traditional plaques, and Rodriguez said he returned when the 135-mile distance was introduced.
Timeline
2025: Rodriguez and Peña complete the 100-mile Habanero Hundred together.
This year (2026): The 135-mile category is offered for the first time.
Around November 7, 2026: Webb County leaders recognize the runners.
Season Trajectory
The Habanero Hundred's expansion to a 135-mile category marks a step beyond the 100-mile distance that defined the event's earlier years. Rodriguez's return after completing the shorter race shows how the longer distance is drawing back runners who already finished the original course.
The 135-mile category now sets a longer benchmark for local ultramarathon entrants planning to train for the Habanero Hundred. Runners considering the event should weigh the 48-hour window against their own endurance and sleep management.
The takeaway
Finishing an ultramarathon of this length depends on managing sleep and heat as much as pace, and the 17-of-50 completion rate shows how demanding the 135-mile course is. Runners planning similar events should prioritize recovery strategies and heat preparation well before race day.
Further reading
For more on local distance events, see Running coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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