Sports medicine conference : Assessment in team sports : integrating teting for performance insights
Sports medicine conference : The role of the gut in high-performance sports
What do runners use before and during a race?
Myriam Jacobs had the opportunity to present the LIROMS Nutrition Marathon Survey, as part of her Master’s thesis.
The project explored dietary supplement and medication use among half-marathon and marathon runners, providing insights into runners’ practices around race day.
Dietary supplements are widely used by recreational endurance runners but less is known about what athletes actually use around race day, where they get their information and what influences their choices.
Our study at the 2026 Luxembourg Night Marathon, involving more than 1,500 half-marathon and marathon runners, found that supplement and sports food use was very common before and during the race, with sports foods particularly prominent during competition.
Runners mainly reported using these products to support performance, reduce fatigue and maintain physical health. Caffeine was also commonly consumed on race day, with marathon runners tending to use it more frequently during the race.
The study also highlighted some potential concerns. Both supplement and medication use were often self-directed, with coaches and family or friends among the most commonly reported sources of information. Social media also played a role in supplement decisions.
Importantly, confidence in supplement safety was relatively high, while anti-doping knowledge was often limited. This highlights the need for accessible, evidence-based education and greater involvement of qualified professionals to support safe and informed choices among endurance runners.
Thank you to the event organiser's for this valuable opportunity.