CCACHE RUNNING
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How to Master Your Race Day Fuelling

How to Master Your Race Day Fuelling

by CCACHE RUNNING

The Science of Endurance Fuelling: How to Mix and Match Maurten, SiS, and CrampFix for Your Best Run Yet

Every runner knows the feeling. You’ve put in the weeks of early mornings, your long runs have been solid, and you hit the start line with fresh legs. But by kilometer 30 of your marathon - or two hours into a grueling trail session - the wheels start to wobble. Your energy plummets, your stomach begins to turn, or a sudden, sharp calf cramp threatens to halt your race entirely.

When it comes to endurance performance, your fitness is only half the equation. The other half? Your fuelling strategy.

At CCACHE Running, we curate premium, performance-driven gear and nutrition because we know that small technical advantages lead to massive breakthroughs. Today, we’re breaking down three powerhouse brands in our nutrition collection - Maurten, Science in Sport (SiS), and CrampFix - and how you can strategically combine them to build the ultimate race-day fuelling plan.

1. The Foundation: Maurten (The Hydrogel Revolution)

If your primary goal is maximizing carbohydrate absorption without risking a dreaded upset stomach, Maurten is your gold standard.

  • The Science: Traditional high-carbohydrate gels can sit heavy in the gut, leading to GI distress when running at high intensities. Maurten solved this by developing Hydrogel Technology. When the liquid drink mix or gel hits the acidic environment of your stomach, it instantly converts into a natural hydrogel. This encapsulates the carbohydrates, allowing them to pass smoothly through the stomach straight into the intestines, where they are rapidly absorbed.

  • When to use it: Use Maurten Drink Mix (160 or 320) in the days leading up to a race for carb-loading, or sip it in the 2 hours before the gun goes off. During the run, Maurten Gel 100 and Gel 160 provide clean, flavorless, texture-stable energy. If you need a cognitive boost to beat mid-race brain fog, reach for the Gel 100 CAF 100 for a precise hit of caffeine.

2. The Sustained Fuel: Science in Sport / SiS (Isotonic & High-Carb Variety)

When you’re out on the road or trail for hours at a time, taste fatigue is real, and hydration demands shift constantly. That’s where Science in Sport (SiS) shines, offering incredible versatility and precise, batch-tested options.

  • The Science: SiS pioneered the world’s first truly Isotonic Energy Gel. Because the gel has the same osmotic concentration as the fluid in your body, it requires no additional water to digest. It absorbs rapidly, giving you an immediate energy lift without making you feel thirsty. For ultra-endurance efforts where you need massive amounts of fuel (up to 80–120g of carbs per hour), the SiS Beta Fuel line utilizes an optimized 1:0.8 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio to unlock higher carbohydrate oxidation rates without causing stomach distress.

  • When to use it: Use SiS GO Isotonic Gels when you want a lighter, refreshing texture that is easy to swallow on the move, or when water stations are miles away. Switch to SiS Beta Fuel Gels (with or without Electrolytes) for your heaviest training blocks and ultra-distance races where maximizing energy density is paramount.

3. The Lifesaver: FIXX Nutrition CrampFix (Rapid Neuro-Muscular Relief)

You can have all the energy in the world, but if a sudden muscle cramp locks up your quads or calves, your pace drops to zero. That’s where CrampFix by FIXX Nutrition comes in.

  • The Science: For decades, runners believed cramping was purely caused by dehydration or electrolyte loss. Modern sports science shows that many cramps are actually a neuromuscular response - your motor neurons become over-excited and continuously fire. CrampFix works by utilizing a specific, concentrated sour and acidic liquid blend. The moment you swirl it in your mouth, it stimulates sensory receptors in your throat. This sends a rapid signal to the spinal cord to instantly "turn off" the over-active nerve signals causing the muscle to spasm. It relieves cramps within 1 to 2 minutes.

  • When to use it: Keep a CrampFix 20ml Sachet (available in Espresso, Lemon, or Raspberry) or a 50ml Bottle easily accessible in your race belt or vest. Take a small sip preventatively just before a steep climb or around the 2-hour mark, and use the rest as an emergency treatment the absolute second you feel a muscle twitch or lock up.

Building Your Blueprint: A Sample Race-Day Strategy

How do these three distinct products work together in harmony? Here is an example of how a marathoner or ultra-runner can structure their nutrition utilizing the CCACHE lineup:

  • Pre-Race (2 Hours Out): Sip on a bottle of Maurten Drink Mix 160 to top off liver and muscle glycogen stores while ensuring you are fully hydrated.

  • Early Race (0–90 Mins): Alternate between SiS GO Isotonic Gels and Maurten Gel 100 every 30–45 minutes. This provides a steady stream of easily digestible carbohydrates while keeping your palate fresh.

  • The Crux (90 Mins – 3 Hours): As intensity and fatigue climb, shift to high-density options like the Maurten Gel 160 or SiS Beta Fuel to keep up with your body's soaring caloric demands. Take a preventative sip of CrampFix to keep your legs firing smoothly.

  • The Final Push (3 Hours+): Crack open a Maurten Gel 100 CAF 100 for a final surge of caffeine to sharpen focus, and rely on CrampFix shots to smash through any late-stage cramping emergencies before the finish line.

Fuel Right, Run Stronger

Nutrition isn't just something to think about on race morning - it's a critical component of your training toolkit. Testing different fuel formats during your weekly long runs ensures your stomach is just as trained as your legs when it matters most.

Explore the full range of flavours, bundles, and single-serve options from Maurten, SiS, and CrampFix over at our CCACHE Running Nutrition Collection. Pack your kit, dial in your plan, and dominate your next run.