Do elites take gel in marathons?

I seem to remember reading that Ritz did at NYC, and I think that he regretted not taking another one earlier?

The commentators for London (Cram and Foster) were talking about the elites taking gels. Didn't see any footage of it and I'd guess their prepared drinks will hold the fuel they need. Joe Public runner can't easily have prepared drinks in races so gels might be more appropriate.

If you get to see the women's olympic marathon you will see some taking them or carrying them.

I think that you hit the nail on the head.

Yesterday a couple of the leftover elite bottles (Jon Brown maybe?) had gels taped to the outside of them.

If I had the facility of elite drinks I probably wouldn't go for a gel - but given I don't, and don't get on with lucozade sport - gel is easy to carry and easy to stomach.

some guys I know (fast but not fast enough to get their own drinks on the tables) take gels and wash themn down with water. Not perfect but the best that can be done I think. The elites can use pre-prepared electrolyte drink or whatever which saves messing about opening the packet etc.

You're right, I never see it either. I always wonder what they have in those "elite" water bottles... I would guess they have all kinds of sugars. They probably don't need Gu.

I believe Radcliffe had gels taped to her drinks in NYC 2004.

I've been involved at the organizational level of some races and I'm surprised to see many of the elite (sub 2:12) men don't have special bottles or put their marker on just a bottle of water so they don't have to drink from cups. Many just take the cups that are their for the general field. I've never seen one sub 2:12 guy take a gel. THe elite women seem a lot more particular than the men and they will take gels and have prepared bottles with their favourite replacement drink. Most are pretty good at taking a water without slowing down. I get water up my nose or choke half the time! I ran a race in Winnipeg once and they had Mcdonalds cups with straws in them; that was easy to drink from.

dos santos took gel at nyc 2005, saw it on tv.

de lima took gel at athens 2004, saw it on tv.

probably a matter of personal preference.

Cool. Thanks for all the responses.

Peter Gilmore uses an electrolyte strip that gets taped to his bottles. From what i understand its pretty much like one of those listerine pocket pack things that disolves but has the benifit of a GU. Check them out... Enlyten Sport Strips

i remember Meb and Baldini taking gels in Athens - late in the race

27-timer wrote:

i remember Meb and Baldini taking gels in Athens - late in the race

Really? I have the entire race on tape and I don't ever remember seeing that.

Kristi Johnston (or is it Johnson?) said she mixed gu with water in her bottles...wasn't pleasant but easier to get down. On the other hand, I seem to recall hearing something about Fatuma not drinking anything (even water) during the very warm '96 Olympic marathon that she won. Thats' probably not correct, but I think she was noted for not taking in much fluid during her marathons.

I remembered watching Procopcucha during NYCM 2005 holding in her hang a gel. It was boxed in her brief.