There's something special about a founder who doesn't just create products; they put them to the ultimate test.
Ben Bunting, founder of our very own beForm Nutrition, recently proved that our supplement line isn't just theory on paper, but real-world fuel that can power athletes through their toughest challenges.
The testing ground? The gruelling Geordieman triathlon in the stunning but unforgiving landscape of Northumberland.
The Geordieman Challenge
The Geordieman isn't your average Sunday morning swim-bike-run.
This full-distance triathlon pushes athletes through a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon; all set against the backdrop of Northumberland's rolling hills and unpredictable weather.
It's the kind of event that separates those who simply have good intentions from those who have bulletproof preparation.
For Ben, this wasn't just a personal challenge. It was the ultimate product test: A real-world laboratory where every supplement choice could mean the difference between crossing the finish line and hitting the wall.
The Science Behind the Strategy
Ben's approach to the Geordieman was methodical, built around addressing the four critical challenges that derail most endurance athletes: dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, glycogen depletion, and energy crashes.
Staying Ahead of Dehydration with beHydrate
From the moment Ben emerged from the cold waters of the swim leg, hydration became priority number one.
The beHydrate performance drink became his constant companion throughout the 112-mile bike portion, providing not just fluid replacement but the precise electrolyte balance needed to maintain optimal performance.
"The beauty of beHydrate isn't just in what it contains, but in what it doesn't," Ben explains. "No unnecessary ingredients that can cause gastric distress. Just clean, effective hydration that works when everything else in your body is being pushed to its limits."
Preventing the Dreaded Cramps
Nothing ends an endurance event faster than muscle cramps, and the rolling terrain of Northumberland's bike course was prime cramping territory.
Ben's strategic use of beHydrate's electrolyte profile, specifically its sodium and potassium balance, kept his muscles firing smoothly mile after mile.
The proof was in the performance: while other athletes were forced to stop and stretch out cramps on the roadside, Ben maintained his rhythm, his muscles supported by the precise mineral balance he'd been consuming since the race began.
Fueling Smart with beFuel Sports Sweets
Energy management in a full-distance triathlon is an art form. Too little fuel and you bonk. Too much, or the wrong kind, and you're dealing with digestive issues that can be race-ending.
Ben's solution was elegantly simple: beFuel sports sweets provided quick-acting glucose exactly when his body needed it most.
"I had them timed out perfectly,"
Ben recalls.
"One packet every 60 minutes on the bike, adjusted based on how I was feeling and what the power meter was telling me. They dissolved quickly, hit the bloodstream fast, and never once caused any stomach issues."
Sustained Energy with beEnergy
As Ben transitioned from the bike to the marathon leg, that moment when many triathletes' races truly begin, beEnergy became his secret weapon against the inevitable energy dips that plague the final miles of any endurance event.
Unlike other caffeine products that may be contained within sickly gels or fizzy drinks, beEnergy provided the sustained lift that kept Ben's legs turning over and his mind focused during those crucial final hours when mental fortitude matters as much as physical preparation.
Furthermore, the red spinach extract improves blood flow and oxygen utilisation whilst reducing the feeling of exertion.
The Real-World Results
The numbers tell the story: Ben completed the Geordieman in good time and didn't feel exhausted at the finish line.
In fact, he rushed over to the van, quickly disassembled the camp, hopped in and drove the 100 miles home, and was up again the next day after 4 hours rearranging the stock in the warehouse without aches or pain.
But more importantly, he finished strong, running negative splits on the marathon and actually picking up pace in the final miles when many other athletes were struggling just to keep moving forward.
"I felt better at mile 24 of the marathon than I had any right to feel," Ben admits. "That's not just training(I barely did any), that's proper fueling and hydration working exactly as designed."
Beyond Personal Achievement
For Ben, completing the Geordieman was about more than personal satisfaction. It was validation that the products he's developed can stand up to the ultimate test. Every product in his arsenal was stress-tested under the most demanding conditions possible.
"Anyone can create supplements that work in a laboratory," Ben notes. "But can they work when you're eight hours into a race, when your stomach is sensitive, when your body is depleted, and when quitting would be the easier option? That's the test that matters."
Lessons for Every Athlete
Ben's Geordieman experience offers valuable insights for athletes at every level:
Start your nutrition strategy early: Hydration and electrolyte replacement began from minute one and never stopped. Waiting until you feel thirsty or depleted is waiting too long.
Keep it simple: Complex fueling strategies often fail under pressure. Ben's approach was elegantly simple: Consistent hydration, regular fuel intake, and strategic energy support.
Test everything: Every product Ben used had been tested extensively during training. Race day brought no surprises because there were no unknowns in his nutrition plan.
Listen to your body, but trust your plan: While Ben made minor adjustments based on how he felt, he stuck to his core strategy even when fatigue might have tempted him to deviate.
The Founder's Perspective
"Something is humbling about putting your products to this kind of test," Ben reflects. "You realise that all the research and development in the world means nothing if it doesn't work when an athlete needs it most. The Geordieman wasn't just a race for me, it was a promise to every athlete who trusts our products that they've been tested where it counts."
As Ben hung his finisher's medal alongside his company's latest product development awards, the message was clear: these aren't just supplements created in a boardroom.
They're tools forged in the crucible of real athletic challenge, tested by someone who understands exactly what athletes face when everything is on the line.
The Geordieman may be over, but for Ben and his team, it's just the beginning. He is currently running a marathon every month of 2025, so he still has 4 remaining. With products proven in the field's most demanding conditions, they're ready to help athletes at every level achieve their own impossible goals.
Ready to fuel your own endurance goals?
Explore the complete line of performance supplements that powered Ben through his Geordieman triumph, and discover what properly tested, athlete-proven nutrition can do for your training and racing.
