Best Energy Drinks for a Marathon

Anybody who has run a Marathon knows it’s not easy and requires months of dedicated training and mental strength. They also know that the key to achieving your best performance is a well thought out nutrition plan.

Marathon Nutrition:

There are three phases of your nutrition to consider for Marathon running- pre, during, and post.

Pre-marathon you will be making sure your glycogen stores are fully topped up (this is where you get your energy from) and that you are properly hydrated.

Unlike a shorter race such as a 5 or 10k, you will be exercising for well over an hour which means you’re going to need to use in-race fuelling to keep these stores topped up while you run.

Post Marathon your nutrition will focus on recovery, replenishing lost glycogen and electrolytes, and repairing damaged muscles.

Read more about Marathon Nutrition Planning: Fuel your way to the finish line.

Energy Drinks:

Energy Drinks are a popular product for in-race fuelling. Favoured for being easy to sip on the go and providing hydration as well as energy.

If you haven’t used them before then read more about Energy Drinks: How & When You Should Use Them and how they can benefit your performance.

You can also use our free Nutrition Calculator to work out how many you will need for your race!

Things to Consider:

If you’re thinking about using Energy Drinks as part of your Marathon Nutrition strategy then here are a few things to consider to help you choose your fuel.

It is always important to consider the other products that you might be using in conjunction with your energy drinks as these may contain some of the same ingredients or have similar nutritional content, you don’t want to overload.

Carb content:

For endurance activities carbs are your best friend. The amount of carbs needed per hour of activity varies from person to person dependent on factors like body weight, however most people will need somewhere between 40-80g. Opting for a high-carb energy drink is best for a marathon.

Electrolyte content:

Electrolytes like Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium are vital for maintaining hydration, it is crucial to keep these topped up during a marathon. If you’re not using electrolyte tablets or any other kind of hydration supplements then you may consider an energy drink with added electrolytes.

Caffeine:

Do you really need caffeine in your nutrition plan? Caffeine is a stimulant which can enhance focus, however it doesn’t provide any extra energy. Some people benefit from a caffeine boost towards the end of a long event but this isn’t the case for everyone, therefore caffeine isn’t essential.

Our Recommendations:

Here are some of our top Energy Drink picks for your next Marathon.

Naak Ultra Energy Drink Mix

• 55g Carbohydrates
• Electrolytes: Sodium (400mg), Potassium (200mg), Magnesium (30.6mg), Calcium (52mg)
• BCAA’s

Mountain Fuel Xtreme Energy Fuel

• 75g Carbohydrates
• Electrolytes: Sodium (102.5mg), Magnesium (60mg), Potassium (105mg)
• BCAA’s

Tailwind Endurance Fuel

• 50g Carbohydrates
• Caffeinated flavours available (Raspberry, Tropical, Cola, Matcha)
• Electrolytes: Sodium, Magnesium, Potassium
• Vegan, non GMO

Moonvalley Organic Sports Drink

• 40g Carbohydrates
• Electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium-flavours vary.
• Organic ingredients
• Allergen free

Whether you're aiming for a PB or simply want to cross the finish line feeling strong, testing different products in training is essential. Focus on a balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and (if suitable) caffeine, and make sure your fuelling plan is something your body is used to on race day.

Looking for more information on Marathon nutrition and planning? Take a look at our Nutriton Guides, and other posts on How to Prepare For A Marathon.