Nutritional Intake and Timing of Marathon Runners: Influence of Athlete’s Characteristics and Fueling Practices on Finishing Time
2025
Jiménez-Alfageme, Rubén | Pino Garrone, Florencia | Rodriguez-Sanchez, Nidia | Romero-García, David | Sospedra, Isabel | Gimenez-Monzo, Daniel | Ayala-Guzmán, César Iván | Martínez Sanz, José Miguel | Gimenez-Monzo, Daniel | Martínez Sanz, José Miguel | Romero-García, David | Sospedra, Isabel | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Didáctica General y Didácticas Específicas | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Enfermería | Universidad de Alicante. Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia | Grupo de Investigación en Dietética Aplicada, Nutrición y Composición Corporal (DANuC) | Person-centred Care and Health Outcomes Innovation / Atención centrada en la persona e innovación en resultados de salud (PCC-HOI) | Grupo de Investigación en Alimentación y Nutrición (ALINUT)
Background. Endurance athletes’ competitions have increased over the decades and marathon races are becoming increasingly popular. Proper nutrition is critical for optimal performance and long-term health in marathon athletes. This study aimed to investigate runners’ nutritional intake, especially fluids, food, and supplements, competing in the Seville Marathon. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out to obtain information on the consumption of liquids, food, and supplements. A total of 160 runners (aged 42.2 ± 7.3 years) who were primarily men (87.5%) who participated in the 2022 Seville marathon took part in the study. Results. There was no significant difference (p > 0.050) between marathon finish time (from 2 h 12 min to 5 h) or sports experience and fluid, carbohydrates (CHO), sodium, and caffeine intake pre- and post-competition. However, according to the results obtained, the athletes who met CHO intake recommendations during the competition (60–90 g/h) were more likely to finish the marathon in less than 180 min (p = 0.035). Conclusions. The intake of CHO (35 ± 17 g/h), sodium (192 ± 150 mg/h) and caffeine (57 ± 49 mg/h) was low compared to the current recommendations during the competition. The intake of fluids (466 ± 279 mL/h) was at the lower limit of recommendations. Most athletes did not receive nutritional counselling by a sport dietitian, which may explain why athletes failed to meet specific nutrient recommendations. Future investigations with a larger sample size are warranted to assess the relationship between dietary intake and finish time.
Show more [+] Less [-]This study is also supported by Vicerrectorado de Investigación, University of Alicante Grant GRE21-13A (Valoración Nutricional de la Mujer en Deporte de Resistencia).
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