Best Energy Gels to Fuel Your Marathon: Tried & tested race-friendly gels

[@KeithAnderson-gh8tk]

I have 2 go-to options for gels that really work well for me (ultra runner here). First up are the Mountain Fuel Hydrogels and their Ultra Chia Jelly - bit more substantial than usual gels but easy to consume on the go and no dreaded gut bombs. Second are the Kendal Mint Co NRG gels with caffeine. The intense mint flavour gives such a great blast - real head clearer & so refreshing, can't help but get a lift from it! They've also started doing refill packs & soft flasks so a big plus from the environmental side - common & irritating sight out on the trails is the discarded gel packs of other runners.

[@petergibbs6993]

Great picks especially Kieran’s 👍

[@htmonaro1969]

Thanks for the video, some of these are not available in Australia, so can't try them. For 3 or 4 years I used the SIS Isotonic gels, mainly because you don't need to take on fluids with them. The main drawback is they only have 22g of carbs. A couple of years ago I switched to the SIS Beta Fuel gels because they are a more advanced product and have 40g of carbs, which means I carry half as many packets. I was using the Apple flavoured, Nootropics version, but noticed that my HR was a lot higher than I wanted (at least 8-10 bpm). I switched to the Strawberry & Lime flavour and my HR returned to what I expected. I will take 1 or 2 Nootropics gels late in a goal marathon, because over the last 10-12km of a marathon, I'm well passed worrying about HR by then. The only other product I use is the Clif Bloks Ginger Ale, but unfortunately these were discontinued last year and I am down to my last 4 or 5 packets. I find the ginger settles mu gut really well. I have carried these on several ultras, with some success, so I'm not sure what I will replace them with. 😢 I spent hours on google trying to find old stock, to no avail and I even contacted Clif directly, but they just gave me some marketing speak. Again, thanks for the video, and if you know someone who has some Clif Bloks Ginger Ale, please let me know, as I will buy as much as I can get, which is zero right now.

[@NeillyVille]

Been using Precision Fuel for my marathon block and have been great so far. No GI issues, taste great and closest thing to Maurten albeit a little bit cheaper.

[@averagerunner_]

Loved this video. Canadian over here experimentating with gu and cliff gels right now

[@Gary2329]

I would welcome a similar video on your Hydration drink preferences.

[@grantmckay7014]

Cliff Blok chews are great between track events too.

[@Ligerpride]

Maurten are really good. Unfortunately though the cost factor is a big problem for me. I'd only use them for race day over 10 miles+ or for a practice long run before a marathon. As it goes I don't use gels at all in training anymore except for 18 miles or above.

[@Ligerpride]

That said I think they are definitely worth it if you're chasing a fast time on marathon day. They are premium for a good reason.

[@markoljustina]

@@Ligerpridei am in “that” problem; should run fast marathon in NYC in November and after lot of research whant to go with Maurten; just try them once but can’t buy them in Serbia… I don’t have stomach problems and i will do it

[@TheAnimerunner]

This is amazing, because I live in America and have heard of almost none of these besides Clif and Maurten. Astounded to see the variety of stuff that's out there.

[@TheRunTesters]

(Kieran here) I’ve done regular tests for Runner’s World UK and often found stuff in the US we don’t get here. Some will ship but not all.

[@runnin3216]

I've had SiS in the US. It is pretty inexpensive and work well if you don't have water available. I just find the packages can be difficult to open at times.

[@avinashbhogun]

I pre cut the gel at the top with a pair of scissors. A small cut as I had the same issue when opening SiS gels, especially when wearing gloves (UK runner).

[@mixeddrinks8100]

I been using Morinaga In Jelly, it is a Japanese one but it goes down smoother as it is a jelly, you can get them in all the convenience store in Japan but most Japanese supermarket sells them as well, 180 calories, some has protein as well, some got vitamin too, but it is literally an energy drink in a way but taste good, has a cap, so you could just in take a little at a time.

[@Ligerpride]

I recommend bringing a couple of those small bottles of beet it or similar and have them filled with tailwind or luzozade plus an electrolyte tablet.

[@mattw785]

The Bloks really work for me. I eat even on the drive home from work!

[@garybowes6284]

I’ve tried quite a few and for price size taste etc. I’ve found ones that no one even looks at Wiggle own brand. 👍

[@garybowes6284]

P.S. They look awful like Torq’s to me.

[@DuncanEpping]

The new SIS Beta Gels are actually a lot better than the old gels, they are much thicker, which makes it easier to slowly take them over the course of a few minutes.

[@ActiveIdeas]

Fantastic stuff team! Loads of gels to try! I really like the sound of those natural ones 🤩 Have currently been using Buzz 🐝 Energy’s Raw Honey 🍯

I also like High5 for Budget, size and texture. Second Powerbar, as i never has issues with them and finally Squeezy as you can get it into 500ml bottles to fill a Gel bottle on bike during a long distance Ironman or such …

[@runningspecific231]

Veloforte chews and gels are 💯 natural and better then shot blocks.

[@runmyworld]

Agree they are my faves

[@matthiassventoest6800]

I must be lucky.., I have not found a gel that disagrees with me…, yet. Do I prefer the taste of some to others ? yes, of course.., but nothing has repulsed me yet.., great post

[@TolunayOrkun]

I like SIS Citrus flavor and I had good experiences with "Gu Roctane" gels on my marathons. Gu Roctane has a good mix of carbs, electrolytes and animo acids (they are originally designed for Ultra races). They have versions with some caffeine as well. They are pretty small packages and I take one Roctane every 5K. However, I am going to give a try to higher carb gels like SIS Beta Fuel and Maurten just to carry less gels in a race. I think Maurten is a bit over-hyped and over-priced.

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

I normally have SIS but i did try the precision pouch which i liked but they recommended to take it with their electrolyte drink but i normally only srink water during a run so i don't think its the best option.

[@Meirion658]

Jane have you tried the Spring energy range of energy gels. They are made from real food and taste amazing.

[@kalvin.]

I think they might not be easily available in the UK if I remember correctly from Ben Parkes’ video on gels.

[@tomatopastefever3769]

High5 for the win!

[@vincewarne228]

I’ve been using the Precision Fuel & Hydration stuff. I used 2 x 90G for a 50K+ run which worked well and I’m starting to use their chew things now too but I think later on into a race chewing is too hard! (Does anyone else get that?)

[@Not_So_Common_Sense]

High 5 aqua caffeine FTW!!!

[@blueaoki1]

Same here. They are a bit bigger than the normal High5 gels though. Some loops in hydration belts are not big enough

[@MrEsPlace]

For Jane, I can't tolerate ANY of the gels or gummies. So, I use pre-workouts. Concept by Carbon Fire is one I'm using now. Careful, the beta-alanine has a tendency to make you itchy.

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Have you tried an intra workout?

[@MrEsPlace]

@@chrisvanbuggenum871 yeah, it made me stitch really bad. So I just slam a pre workout and go about my race, 20 minutes later

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

@@MrEsPlace no worries. Thought it might lack the beta alanine which i take before the gym so i know the effects.

[@rob8939]

Anyone have any experience of mixing Maurten gels with other gel brands on a run? Is it advisable with Maurten being a hydrogel?

[@bmd6343]

I have. No problem at all. Would love to use them all the time but at about 2-3 the cost of a regular gel, just too expensive. 😢

[@jaibeingjai]

Hi Jane, I have Crohn's Disease and have been trying the Clif Blok Chews, and so far have really liked them. I'm currently training for the London Marathon and am slightly concerned how many of them I might need to use as I'm looking at around a 5hr finishing time. Would you suggest me testing them out with some gels?

[@alicewilson55]

Have either of you tried Spring Energy? They aren't cheap and have an expiration date that you need to monitor, but they are very GI friendly!

[@jaibeingjai]

@@alicewilson55 I haven't tried Spring Energy, but would be willing to give them a go.

[@baube1942]

Maple syrup! Either from the grocery store and put in reusable flasks or some fancy gel-like packages with electrolytes and optional flavor. I ran my first marathon with 2x160g flasks as I can't tolerate fructose which is in almost all gels. Swedish berries are my other goto for the training. Less waste, less expensive and less GI issues!

[@wiggan54]

I dont really use gels; but since I'm planning to do a maraton this year I probably need to figure it out. So a question would be how common is it with stuff in gels that dont work for people with allergies? For me it's lactose intolerance. Is it common in the stuff provided to you during a race?

[@janetweber8550]

Having struggled with gels for years, I gave squeezable baby food packets a try. Soo much better and has plenty of carbs, sugar and potassium AND resealable! You can find loads of flavors, reasonably priced anywhere.

[@YunaxEU]

Random question but it is gel related, when consuming gels during a marathon do people slow down whilst consuming them or do they try and maintain race pace? Somethings I’ve always wondered, coming up to my first marathon

[@bmd6343]

I slow down a little. I’d probably throw up if I didn’t. Also don’t take the whole gel in one go. Take about a third/half and then 30 seconds later the remaining. Easier on the stomach. I do this approaching water stations.

[@YunaxEU]

@@bmd6343 thanks brother appreciated

[@macewindex564]

Which ones don't mess up your pockets?

[@wk633]

£1.30 is "good value"? "Cheap"? Only because we've been conditioned to accept ridiculous prices on gels. I make my own by mixing maltodextrin, fructose, and whatever flavor I feel like. Early Grey tea is good. Also use generic pedialite for electrolytes. I put it in a hand flask so I have as many calories as I need for the marathon. No need to open anything or deal with packets. Costs pennies per serving. Y'all are wasting money you could spend on shoes or race entries.

[@nickwingate869]

Nobody uses Veloforte? Right up your natural street Kieran

[@Saixtanwar]

Flat coke with a pinch of salt :)

[@runmyworld]

During the race or after? I’ve not heard during that’s interesting

[@htmonaro1969]

P.S. the Mortens feel like what I imaging snot must be like to eat, so no thanks.

[@studneykirby1842]

fairly "good value" at £30 for 15 gels !!!...£2 a gel makes a simple run an expensive sport !

[@TheRunTesters]

Wait til you see the price of running shoes 😂