A marathon is perhaps one of the most grueling and challenging events in sports. Running 26.2 miles takes a toll on the body and can cause you to lose weight. The main factor that determines if and how much weight you lose during the race is your intake of fluids. But don't assume that running a marathon is your magic bullet for weight loss. Weight gain is also possible.
Impact
The amount of weight you lose while running a marathon can have an impact on your finishing time. A study conducted on 643 participants of the 2009 Mont St. Michel Marathon in France found that runners who lost at least 3 percent of their body weight finished in less than three hours, while those who lost 2.5 percent needed between three and four hours to finish the race.
All the study participants were encouraged to drink 250 ml of water or an energy drink every 20 minutes. Participants who drank more than the recommended amount of water gained weight and performed the worst out of the study group.
Fluid Intake
As the Mont St. Michel marathon study suggests, too much water can affect your performance and, consequentially, your finishing time. Study author Dr. Timothy Noakes of the University of Cape Town notes the research findings undoubtedly prove that drinking fluids to satisfy thirst optimizes athletic performance. Taking in any amount more or less than what is required to quench thirst impairs your athletic ability. Based on the study's research data, drinking to quench thirst is enough to cause weight loss.
Calories
Running a marathon burns a significant amount of calories. To calculate how many calories you burn over the span of a marathon, multiply your weight in pounds by 26.2 miles by 0.63 calories. A 150-lb. runner, for instance, burns 2,476 calories during a marathon when running at a steady pace. Ensure that you replenish your blood sugar level throughout the race to keep your energy. This allows you to keep your pace and continue to burn calories.
Caution
You should not run a marathon with the objective to lose weight. Losing weight is often a natural side effect of training for and running a marathon. Your primary concern when taking part in a marathon should be your health. You must supply your body with essential nutrition for energy. Otherwise, you risk dehydration and malnutrition, which can lead to serious medical conditions.
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