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London Marathon:
more than a race
Some call it the suburban man’s Everest. For others it’s a lifetime ambition. For everyone who takes part, it’s a life-changing, often gruelling 26.2 mile race that tests runners to the limits. Whatever you think, the Flora London Marathon is one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
Flora London Marathon in numbers
- 1 of 5 marathon majors: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London and New York
- 2009 is the 8th year that Lucozade Sport has partnered with the London Marathon
- 35,000 runners
- 400 miles – the distance that some runners cover during training
On Sunday 26 April, the streets of London again echoed the pound of about 35,000 pairs of feet – and GSK’s Lucozade Sport was with them all of the way, just as it has for many of them during their training in the months leading up to the race.
Lucozade Sport – fuel for runners
Lucozade Sport, one of the Lucozade product range, has been the official sports drink supplier for the event for some years.
Supporting the marathon, however, involves much more than trucking in 175,000 bottles of the isotonic drink and placing them at various points on the 26.2-mile course for runners to grab and consume on their way.
"From the day runners apply to take part, right through to the finishing line and beyond, we offer support and advice on their training, nutrition and hydration - all crucial elements for a successful marathon," says Shona Hughes, Senior Brand Manager Lucozade Sport.
This ‘running partnership’, as Shona describes it, is through interactive websites, magazines, radio programmes, route maps and online advice from running coaches - all exposing runners to the benefits of the isotonic sports drink. Much of this support is available through the Lucozade website as well as from media partners such as the magazine ‘Runner’s World’.
Lucozade Sport Science Academy
The Lucozade Sport Science Academy (LSSA) uses its expertise in sports nutrition to help advance the understanding of the role that it plays in driving sporting performance.
"We work with others - academics, athletes, leading coaches, nutritionists and governing bodies across a range of sports - to advance expertise, and share understanding," says the Academy’s John Brewer.
The science of sport
Science? Cynics might suggest that Lucozade Sport is simply a soft drink being sold as a sophisticated sports line. "In the marathon, you need all the help you can get. The biggest problems that marathon runners face are loss of fluid and loss of energy," Shona says.
"The one thing you don't get from water is fuel, something that Lucozade Sport does provide. And anything runners can do on the course to top up their fuel stores and help them get to the finish before they reach 'the wall' will be appreciated."
Team Lucozade Sport
And Shona speaks from experience. This year was her eighth marathon and her fifth in London. She was part of the GSK team - Team Lucozade Sport - a group of about 50 runners drawn from competition winners, trade customers and journalists. Other teams had GSK employees running for their chosen charities.
Sporting ambassador
Liz Yelling, one of the UK's finest female athletes, is 'running ambassador' for Lucozade Sport. She works closely with Lucozade Sport and the Lucozade Sport Science Academy, passing on her experiences as an international runner and providing insights into the world of endurance running.
Liz has considerable experience in cross-country races as well as marathons, including the Athens Olympics. Last year she finished the London Marathon up with the winning women with a personal best of 2 hours, 30 minutes, 44 seconds.
Continuing to compete in a variety of world class events around the world, Liz is passionate about helping others achieve their own health, lifestyle and performance goals.
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The aim was to give the team a ‘VIP experience’ comprising training sessions with Liz Yelling, one of the UK's finest female athletes (see side bar), as well as access to other running experts and advice.
An extension of this approach is a 2009 research study involving 400 runners who will help the Lucozade Sport team to understand more about the physical aspects of running a 26.2 mile race. The aim is to understand better the role of nutrition within the context of marathon running and how the Lucozade Sport brand can support runners through their training and performance on the day.
Race day: Sunday 26 April
When the big day arrived, Lucozade Sport was there to help provide fuel for runners every five miles of the route and this year will see the use of new environmentally-friendly bottles that are easy to carry and drink from whilst on the go.
Many runners drew comfort from seeing a familiar brand whilst on the route of one of the toughest sporting events on the planet.
Lucozade and Lucozade Sport are trade marks of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
