{"id":19800,"date":"2025-12-19T13:37:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T13:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scienceinsport.com\/sports-nutrition\/?p=19800"},"modified":"2026-06-19T10:51:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T10:51:04","slug":"fueling-for-half-and-full-marathons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scienceinsport.com\/sports-nutrition\/fueling-for-half-and-full-marathons\/","title":{"rendered":"Fueling for Half and Full Marathons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Eilish<\/span>
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\n Written By<\/span>\n

Jonah Rosner<\/h3>\n

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5 Min<\/div>
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\n Fueling for Half and Full Marathons: HOW U.S. RUNNERS ARE GETTING READY FOR SPRING RACES<\/strong>\n<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Many runners know the feeling. You start strong. You feel smooth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, the energy drops. Your legs get heavy. The finish line feels farther than it should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It occurs in both half-marathons and full marathons. But it might not happen for the same reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why fueling can feel confusing. One race is fast and intense, while the other is long and draining. Your body uses energy differently for each one, so your plan needs to match the demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are training for a spring race, now is the time to learn how this works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHY FUELING LOOKS DIFFERENT IN HALVES AND FULLS<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Both half marathons and full marathons rely on carbohydrates as their primary fuel. The difference is how fast you use it and how long you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Half Marathon Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many runners, a half-marathon lasts 70 to 120 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the race is shorter, your stored energy (glycogen) usually lasts long enough to support your pace. Fueling helps keep your blood sugar steady, but your body’s natural stores still do most of the heavy lifting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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