What Do The Elite Runners Drink?

I was watching the Boston Marathon today on OLN and I couldn't help wonder, "What is in those special bottles that the elite runners have color coded?" I couldn't help but notice that not one runner picked up a commercial product like Gatorade. Now obviously the value of Gatorade being the official sports drink of the Boston Marathon comes in the tens of thousands of runners who might become more brand loyal after using it during their race. But it's amazing how there's almost no in-race advertising. The only time I saw a Gatorade logo during the entire coverage? When's the female winner Rita Jeptoo crossed the finish line and was handed a bottle of Purple Gatorade Rain.

Comments

[god]

you are just the biggest freak i ever saw, congratulation

[Jeff]

The elites get to fill their own bottles with their drink of choice -- usually whatever they train with. It's one of the perks of being at the top of your game. Check out what Clint Verran (10th place, 2:14:12) had to say about the race.

[matthew downs]

It is my understanding that elite athletes drink out of their own bottles because they cannot be 100% sure about the contents of the Gatorade cups they can be handed. Spiked drinks with performance enhancing drugs or (like the episode of sienfeld where the racer accidentally takes Kramer’s hot coffee) they are unsure of what the drink is.

[matthew downs]

It is my understanding that elite athletes drink out of their own bottles because they cannot be 100% sure about the contents of the Gatorade cups they can be handed. Spiked drinks with performance enhancing drugs or (like the episode of sienfeld where the racer accidentally takes Kramer’s hot coffee) they are unsure of what the drink is.

[Angie Runier]

I am an elite runner (2:22:22) and I drink milk, rigt from the cow. Try it.