When to Drink Maurten Before a Race: The Ultimate Fueling Guide

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

According to elite fueling strategies, consuming the right carbohydrates at specific times is a non-negotiable for success. This guide explains when to drink Maurten before a race, leveraging its innovative hydrogel technology to maximize glycogen stores and avoid stomach issues on your big day.

Quick Summary

This guide provides detailed timing protocols for using Maurten products, including Drink Mix 320 for carbohydrate loading the day before, Drink Mix 160 for pre-race fueling, and Gels for a final energy boost right before the start.

Key Points

Pre-Race Carb Loading: Consume Maurten Drink Mix 320 the evening before to maximize muscle glycogen stores without feeling bloated.
Morning Fuel: Drink a Maurten Drink Mix 160 with your light breakfast 1-4 hours before the race to top up carbohydrates and hydrate.
Pre-Start Gel: Take a Maurten Gel (Gel 100 or Gel 100 CAF) 15-45 minutes before the race starts for a final, easily absorbed energy boost.
Practice in Training: Always practice your race-day fueling strategy during long training runs to ensure your gut is accustomed to the products.
Monitor Hydration: In hotter conditions, focus on the Drink Mix 160 or plain water in parallel to avoid over-concentrating your fuel, which can hinder hydration.
Don't Change on Race Day: Stick to the products and timing you have practiced and avoid trying anything new on race day itself.

Understanding Maurten's Hydrogel Technology

Maurten stands apart from traditional sports fuels due to its patented hydrogel technology. This technology encapsulates high concentrations of carbohydrates in a biopolymer matrix, which forms a hydrogel upon contact with stomach acid. This process allows for a smooth transport of carbohydrates through the stomach to the intestine, where they are absorbed more efficiently. For athletes, this means consuming more carbs per hour without the gastrointestinal distress (bloating, cramping) often associated with sugary syrups. By understanding how this technology works, athletes can create a strategic fueling plan that prevents mid-race fatigue, or "bonking," and ensures sustained energy.

The Science Behind the Hydrogel

The hydrogel is formed using a precise mix of natural ingredients: sodium alginate from brown algae and pectin from fruit. When mixed with water and consumed, the drink bypasses the stomach's normal sensors for high-sugar content and is transported quickly to the small intestine for absorption. This minimizes the risk of the stomach-sloshing effect that can be a major issue with other sports drinks during high-intensity exercise. The result is a cleaner, more efficient fuel delivery system that helps athletes push harder for longer.

The Day Before: Carb Loading with Maurten

Proper preloading is a critical part of any endurance race strategy, and Maurten products can be a powerful tool for this process. The goal of carb loading is to maximize your muscle glycogen stores, which serve as your body's primary fuel source during intense, sustained efforts. Using a high-carb drink mix like Maurten's makes it easier to hit your carbohydrate goals without feeling overly full or bloated from solid foods.

Morning or afternoon: Sip on a bottle of Maurten Drink Mix 320 to top up your glycogen stores.
Low fiber and fat: Focus on easily digestible meals to avoid stomach issues on race day.
Alternative: Some athletes prefer a Maurten Solid 160 as a dense, easy-to-eat carbohydrate source the day before.

Race Morning: The Final Pre-Race Fueling

On race morning, the timing of your final fuel is crucial for ensuring peak performance. The exact strategy will depend on the race distance, but the general principle is to top off your energy stores 1-4 hours before the start.

1-4 hours before: Consume a bottle of Maurten Drink Mix 160 or a Solid 160 with your normal, light breakfast. This adds an extra 40 grams of carbohydrates to your system, and the hydrogel technology ensures a smooth digestion.
15-45 minutes before: Take a Maurten Gel 100, Gel 160, or Gel 100 CAF 100 (for a caffeine boost). This delivers a final, quick burst of carbohydrates right as you need it most, without causing a sugar crash at the starting line. The Gel is designed to be easily absorbed, minimizing any risk of GI issues as the race begins.

Comparison Table: Maurten Drink Mixes


Feature	Maurten Drink Mix 160	Maurten Drink Mix 320
Carbohydrate Content	40g per 500ml of water	80g per 500ml of water
Carb Ratio (Maltodextrin:Fructose)	1:0.5	1:0.7
Energy (Calories)	160 kcal per serving	320 kcal per serving
Osmolality	Isotonic	Hypertonic
Recommended Use	Pre-race fueling (1-4 hours before), in-race hydration for shorter races or lower intensity	Carb loading (day before) or pre-race fueling (2-3 hours before) for high-intensity, long-duration races like a marathon
Best for Hot Conditions?	Yes, allows for more fluid intake per hour	No, higher carb concentration may limit fluid intake

Post-Race: Replenish and Recover

While this article focuses on pre-race fueling, it's worth noting Maurten's role in recovery. After the race, replenishing your glycogen stores is essential for proper recovery. Consuming carbohydrates immediately after your effort helps to speed up this process. A Maurten Solid C 160, with its oat and rice base, is a great option for post-race fuel due to its solid texture and 40 grams of carbohydrates.

Conclusion

Mastering your pre-race Maurten consumption is a systematic process that begins long before race day. By strategically using the products for carb-loading the day before, fueling up 1-4 hours prior, and topping off with a gel in the final minutes, you can optimize your body’s glycogen stores and reduce the risk of mid-race stomach issues. Practice these timing protocols in your training to build confidence in your body's ability to handle high carbohydrate intake, ensuring you arrive at the starting line feeling strong, fueled, and ready to perform. Maurten Fueling Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the Drink Mix 320 the day before to carb-load, as it contains 80g of carbohydrates per serving. On race morning, 1-4 hours before the start, opt for the Drink Mix 160 to top up your fuel and hydration with 40g of carbs.

Yes, taking a Maurten Gel (either Gel 100 or Gel 160) about 15-45 minutes before the start is recommended for a final energy boost. The hydrogel technology ensures quick and easy absorption without stomach upset.

The Maurten Bicarb System is designed for high-intensity efforts and should be consumed 1.5-2 hours before intense exercise, not prolonged steady-state events like a marathon, and only after practicing with it during training.

In the afternoon or evening before your race, consume a bottle of Drink Mix 320, which provides 80g of carbs, to help fill your glycogen stores without adding bulk. Some athletes also use a Maurten Solid 160 as a high-carb snack.

It is recommended to have a light, familiar, and low-fiber breakfast along with your Maurten Drink Mix. The Maurten drink serves to top off your energy, not replace your meal entirely, unless you have specific gut sensitivities you've tested in training.

Maurten Drink Mix contains no preservatives, so it's best to consume it within 24 hours of mixing. For optimal results, prepare it on race morning or the evening before and store it in a cool place, like a refrigerator.

Yes, they can be used together as part of a comprehensive strategy. A common approach is using the drink mixes for hydration and carb loading, and a gel for the final, concentrated carb hit just before the start.