Race Season Is Here: How to Dial In Your Fuelling Plan Before the Start Line

Spring marathon season has arrived! Are you lacing up for the Manchester, London or Boston marathon soon? Or Belfast, Southampton, Leeds or Edinburgh in May? All that winter training is about to come to fruition as you get ready to hit the start line. You’ve done the long runs and put in the work, now it’s about showing up on the day fully fuelled.

By this point in your training you’re likely to have practiced your fuelling options but these last few weeks before race day are really important for dialling in your fuelling plan and refining your nutrition and hydration. It is particularly useful to practice fuelling during race-pace sessions so you can get a feel for what really works at the speed you’ll be running your marathon at.

At Active Root we have a range of products designed to meet your fuelling requirements during marathon training and the day itself.

Energy Gels

Our range of Energy Gels are perfect for mid-race fuelling. Our gels are designed to enhance your performance and provide reliable support during your marathon. Crafted with quality and convenience in mind, as well as being gluten free, vegan and all natural, this product is ideal for fuelling on the go.

Our Energy Gel contains 50mg of ginger to maintain a settled stomach, 30g of carbohydrates for a steady release of energy, and 122 calories in each gel. You need around 60g of carbs per hour for a steady rate of exercise. We would recommend consuming a gel 15-20 minutes before you start to give yourself a strong start to your run.

During your race you should aim to consume a gel every 20-30 minutes to maintain a steady supply of energy. Finally, you can take a gel immediately after you finish to replenish energy levels. To ensure proper hydration, take 300ml of water with every 2-3 gels per hour of exercise.

If you’re looking for both fuel and hydration then we would recommend a mix of Sports Drinks Mix and Energy Gels.

Sports Drink Mix

Our Sports Drink Mix is a carbohydrate based drink designed to fuel and sustain longer efforts. This can be consumed before, during and after racing, and features a carefully formulated blend of slow-burning cane sugar to provide a steady stream of fuel rather than the short-lived bursts of energy from traditional sports drinks. Our Sports Drink Mix contains 239mg of ginger to help prevent gut bombs, 40g carbs for a steady release of energy, and up to 161 calories in each serving. Sports Drink Mix also includes 567mg sea salt, helping to replace vital electrolytes lost through sweat.

Simply add a serving of Sports Drink Mix to your water bottle or soft flask (usually 500-750ml of water), shake well, and you’re ready to hydrate and refuel on the go.

Energy Chews

Deliciously fiery, our portable Energy Chews provide a refreshing and natural alternative designed to replenish essential fluids with electrolytes, as well as giving a rapid energy boost. Each serving (5 chews) contains 96 calories, 24g carbs, 57mg sodium and 1,452mg of stomach-settling ginger.

We recommend eating four to five energy chews every 30 minutes during endurance events; consuming a small amount at regular, frequent intervals maintains a steady energy supply and prevents blood sugar peaks and crashes.

Marathon Pack

Right now, we’ve got a great deal on our Marathon Pack to help you dial in your fuelling without overthinking it or overspending. This isn’t just a bundle. It’s everything you need, ready to go.

Inside, you’ve got what it takes to keep your energy steady, your stomach settled, and your hydration on point from the day before right through to the finish line. The Marathon Pack includes: 2 x Sports Drink Mix Sachets, 3 x Electrolite Drink Mix Sachets, 8 x Energy Gels (2 each of Lemon, Rhubarb, Original, Apple), and 1 x 550ml Sports Bottle.

The Marathon Pack provides steady energy from start to finish, with natural ginger to help settle your stomach under pressure.

It is essential to practice your fuelling strategies prior to race day, so you can arrive on the start line feeling confident in your fuelling and focusing all your energy on enjoying the journey to the finish! With our range of ginger-infused products, including Energy Gels, Sports Drink Mix and Energy Chews marathoners can take on 26.2 miles with confidence, knowing their nutrition is supporting their performance and recovery.