The Science of Marathon Running
5 February - 16 mins
Podcast Series
Show Me the Science with Luke O'Neill
Why does the marathon push the human body to its absolute limits? And why do some people seem built to keep going when everyone else hits the wall? On this week’s podcast, Professor Luke O’Neill takes a biochemical deep dive into marathon running, sparked by a listener’s request. The modern marathon may trace its roots back to Ancient Greece, but what happens inside the body during those 26.2 miles is a very modern scientific story — one that turns runners into walking, sweating demonstrations of bioenergetics.
Luke explains how the body powers long-distance running by converting energy rather than creating it, moving between carbohydrates and fats to keep muscles firing. ATP — the energy...
Series Episodes
