Best Energy Drinks for an Ultra Marathon

An Ultra Marathon is any foot race that is longer than a traditional Marathon length (26.2 miles).

Most races are run in one day but some may become multi day events.

Ultra running is arguably one of the most extreme tests of endurance, and you will be pushing yourself to your physical and mental limits.

Ultra Marathon Nutrition

Nutrition is the key to success in all disciplines but is especially important in ultra running as you will be pushing your body to its physical limits.

Like all long-distance races you must consider the three phases of your nutrition: pre, during, and post.

Pre-ultra you will be making sure your glycogen stores are fully topped up (this is where you get your energy from) usually through ‘carb loading’, and that you are properly hydrated.

In an Ultra you may be running for anywhere between 10-24 hours depending on the event. For these events in race fuelling is crucial.

Post-race your nutrition will focus on recovery, replenishing lost glycogen and electrolytes, and repairing damaged muscles. In a multi-day event this can be the most crucial stage, you must recover from the stage you’ve just completed whilst also preparing for the next day.

You can use our Nutrition Calculator to plan your nutritional needs across all points of your Ultra.

Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks are a popular product for in-race fuelling amongst athletes of all disciplines, but are especially favoured by Ultra runners. Easy to sip on the go as well as providing both energy and hydration in one product.

Energy Drinks are ideal for Ultra Marathons as they can provide an easy high-carb alternative for people who don’t get on with Energy Gels.

Things to Consider

Carb Content:

For an ultra you will likely need to take on more carbs than you would for a regular marathon. In significantly longer races many athletes can benefit from a higher carb intake of around 60-90g per hour. If you’re going to up your carb intake it is important to do this gradually during training to avoid GI issues and carb overload.

Using varied carb sources are also important. If you can, try to opt for an Energy Drink that uses a dual-carb blend such as Maltodextrin & Fructose. This ensures better and faster carb absorption whilst avoiding stomach upset.

Electrolytes:

Replenishing your electrolytes during an Ultra is incredibly important. Neglecting electrolyte replacement will leave you at greater risk of dehydration.

One of the key benefits of using Energy Drinks is not only do they provide Energy but they also keep you hydrated as the majority of drink mixes include electrolytes like Sodium & Potassium.

Caffeine:

Some people will benefit from a caffeine boost during the later stages of a long race. If you’re one of these people then you’ll want to look out for a caffeinated Energy Drink mix like the Maurten Drink Mix 320 CAF 100. 

It is always important to consider the other products that you might be using in conjunction with your energy drinks. Energy gels, energy chews, & energy bars are all fine to use with your energy drink but may contain some of the same ingredients or have similar nutritional content.

It is always worth checking so you don’t overload.

Our Recommendations

Here are some of our recommendations for high-carb Energy Drink mixes that are perfect for your next Ultra Marathon.                                             

Maurten: Drink Mix 320

Maurten Drink Mix 320 is widely used in ultra running when athletes need to sustain very high carbohydrate intake over many hours without overwhelming their gut. Delivering 80g of carbohydrates per serving, it allows runners to reach aggressive fuelling targets with relatively low fluid volume, which is particularly useful in hot conditions or long climbs where drinking large volumes can feel difficult.

Precision Fuel & Hydration: Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix

Precision Fuel’s Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix is well suited to ultra marathon runners who want precise, predictable fuelling and hydration across long stages. Providing 30g of carbohydrate and 500mg of sodium per 500ml, it allows athletes to scale intake easily by adjusting bottle concentration or frequency.

Näak: Ultra Energy™ Drink Mix

Näak Ultra Energy™ Drink Mix is designed specifically with ultra-distance racing in mind, where energy demands extend far beyond carbohydrates alone. Each serving delivers 250 calories through a blend of fast and sustained carbohydrates, plant-based protein, BCAAs, and electrolytes.

Moonvalley: Organic Sports Drink

Moonvalley Organic Sports Drinks offer a lighter, more natural fuelling option for ultra marathon runners, particularly in the early stages of a race or during lower-intensity sections. They provide fast-absorbing carbohydrates alongside essential electrolytes, supporting hydration without feeling heavy on the stomach.

Victus: 02 During: Drink

Victus 02 During: Drink is designed to support sustained fuelling during long endurance efforts where hitting high carbohydrate targets becomes increasingly important. Each serving delivers 45g of carbohydrates and 343mg of sodium, making it a strong option for ultra runners aiming to approach or maintain 90g of carbohydrate per hour.

Related Articles

Ultra Marathon Training: How to Prepare Yourself

How To Prepare For A Marathon?