The Endurance Kollective Half Marathon Fuel Plan
The half marathon is one of the most popular race distances in the world — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to fueling.
Too many runners either skip nutrition entirely ("it's only 21km") or overcomplicate it. The truth sits somewhere in the middle — and getting it right can be the difference between a strong finish and hitting the wall at kilometre 16.
Here's our complete half marathon fueling guide, built around the products we trust and the science that backs them up.
Do You Actually Need to Fuel a Half Marathon?
Yes — especially if you're running for longer than 75 minutes.
Your body stores roughly 90 minutes of glycogen at race pace. For most recreational runners, a half marathon takes between 1h45 and 2h30 — well into the zone where fueling makes a measurable difference to performance and how you feel in the final kilometres.
Pre-Race Fueling — The Night Before
Start fueling the evening before race day. A carbohydrate-rich dinner tops up glycogen stores so you arrive at the start line fully loaded. White rice, pasta, or potatoes with a lean protein source works well. Keep fat and fibre low to avoid GI issues on race morning.
Race Morning — 2 to 3 Hours Before
A solid carbohydrate-rich breakfast sets the foundation. Choose what works for your stomach:
- White rice with honey
- Porridge with banana
- White bread with jam
Keep portions moderate — you want to be fueled, not full.
60 Minutes Before the Start — Plasmaide Nitrate Gel
This is the step most recreational runners miss entirely.
Take one Plasmaide nitrate gel 60 minutes before your race start. Dietary nitrates convert to nitric oxide in the body, which improves oxygen efficiency at threshold and VO2 max intensities — exactly the effort levels you'll be working at during a half marathon.
The science is clear: nitrate supplementation can improve time trial performance and reduce the oxygen cost of running at race pace. For a half marathon where you're working at or near threshold for the entire race, this is one of the highest-impact pre-race strategies available.
Available in Orange, Watermelon, and Strawberry — take with water 60 minutes before the gun.
30 to 45 Minutes Before — Final Carbohydrate Top-Up
With a good breakfast already in place, a small fast-absorbing carbohydrate hit 30–45 minutes before the start tops up blood sugar without sitting heavy in the stomach.
Amacx Energy Gel — 30g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates with a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose blend. Light, easy to digest, and ideal as a final pre-race top-up.
Precision Fuel PF 30 Caffeine Gel — If you use caffeine, take one 30–45 minutes before the start for peak effect during the race. Delivers 30g of carbs and 75mg of caffeine.
During the Race — 60g of Carbohydrates Per Hour
Aim for 60g of carbohydrates per hour and start fueling from 20 minutes in — regardless of how you feel. By the time you feel like you need a gel, your energy levels are already dropping.
The key is to train your gut before race day. Practice taking gels at race intensity during long training runs so your body is used to absorbing carbohydrates while running hard.
- Sub 90 minutes: First gel at 20–25 minutes, second gel at 55–60 minutes
- 90 minutes to 2 hours: First gel at 20 minutes, then every 30–35 minutes throughout
- Over 2 hours: First gel at 20 minutes, then every 25–30 minutes — aim for 2 gels per hour
Amacx Energy Gel — Light, fast absorbing and easy to take on the move.
Precision Fuel PF 30 Gel — 30g of carbohydrates per gel with a clean neutral taste. Ideal for athletes with sensitive stomachs.
Amacx Turbo Gel — A higher carbohydrate option delivering 46g per gel for runners targeting faster times and higher carb intake per hour.
Hydration Strategy
Drink at every aid station — approximately every 5km. Plain water is fine in cool conditions. In warmer weather or if you are a heavy sweater, an electrolyte drink makes a real difference.
Precision Hydration PH 1000 — A medium-strength electrolyte drink mix delivering 1,000mg sodium per litre. Mix in your pre-race bottle or carry a tablet to drop into a cup of water at an aid station.
Weekly Recovery — Pillar Performance Triple Magnesium
Not a race-day product, but an essential part of your training routine in the weeks leading up to race day.
Pillar Performance Triple Magnesium supports muscle relaxation, sleep quality, and reduces cramping — all critical when you are putting in the hard training miles before a half marathon. Informed Sport Certified and trusted by endurance athletes worldwide. Available in Lemon Lime in both jar and pouch format.
Post-Race Recovery
What you do in the 30–45 minutes after finishing has a huge impact on how quickly you recover.
Aim for a combination of carbohydrates and protein as soon as possible after finishing.
Amacx Protein Recovery — High-quality protein combined with carbohydrates to kickstart muscle repair and reduce next-day soreness. Mix with water or milk immediately after crossing the finish line.
Your Half Marathon Fuel Plan at a Glance
- Evening before: Carbohydrate-rich dinner, low fat and fibre
- Race morning 2–3 hours before: Carbohydrate-rich breakfast
- 60 minutes before: Plasmaide Nitrate Gel
- 30–45 minutes before: Energy gel, caffeine gel optional
- During: 60g carbs per hour, first gel at 20 minutes, then every 30–35 minutes
- Hydration: Drink at every aid station, electrolytes in warm conditions
- After: Protein and carbohydrate recovery within 45 minutes
The Bottom Line
A half marathon is long enough to benefit significantly from smart fueling — and short enough that a simple, well-practised plan is all you need.
Test your fueling in training, start earlier than you think you need to, and use the Plasmaide nitrate gel to give yourself every advantage at the start line.