Baking Soda Boosts Marathon Performance
Published: June 9, 2026
Sabastian Sawe made history by running an official marathon in under two hours, utilizing baking soda as part of his preparation. Surprisingly, this revelation didn’t shock the athletic community—many are already aware of the increasing trend of marathoners using baking soda to enhance their performance.
When I first covered Maurten’s innovative baking soda formulation in 2023, it was primarily recognized for short events. Historically, baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, minimizes acidity during intense exercise, but its efficacy in longer endurance runs was debated. However, recent trends indicate that athletes now consider baking soda a valuable tool for marathons.
Michael Arishita, founder of Blank’s Sports Nutrition, notes that many marathoners are discreetly incorporating bicarb into their regimens, including Rory Linkletter, who posted an impressive time of 2:06:04 at the Boston Marathon.
Why Marathoners Use Baking Soda
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Sustained Effects: Traditional baking soda’s effects last roughly 60 to 90 minutes, but new hydrogel-based formulations maintain elevated bicarbonate levels for several hours.
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Higher Lactate Tolerance: Baking soda allows runners to sustain lactate levels slightly above typical rest conditions, permitting them to maintain a faster pace without experiencing debilitating fatigue.
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Reduced Pain Perception: Research indicates that baking soda may interact with pain receptors, reducing the burning sensation in muscles. This can lead to lower perceived exertion and facilitate a faster pace.
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Increased Efficiency: Studies on cyclists suggest that baking soda might enhance energy efficiency by lowering muscle acidity, thus improving metabolic reactions during exertion.
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Carbohydrate Interaction: There’s conjecture that baking soda may also interact with carbohydrate absorption, potentially enhancing an athlete’s energy availability during a race.
While the precise mechanisms behind baking soda’s performance benefits over lengthy distances remain unclear, the prevalent use among elite athletes suggests its potential significance. As research continues, it may provide deeper insights into optimizing marathon performance using baking soda.
In conclusion, the use of baking soda in marathons appears to be a growing trend, with many top competitors actively utilizing it for enhanced performance. As the science evolves, it’s worthwhile for athletes to stay informed about potential nutritional strategies to improve their race outcomes.
