June 2025 marked a sweet victory for our founder as he tackled one of Yorkshire's most challenging and rewarding trail marathons.
When our founder Ben Bunting crossed the finish line at the Rothwell Cakeathon Marathon in June 2025, he wasn't just celebrating the completion of 26.2 gruelling miles through South East Leeds; he was proving the power of strategic sports nutrition in overcoming some of the toughest trail running conditions Yorkshire has to offer.
The Challenge: More Than Just Distance
The Rothwell Cakeathon Marathon, hosted by the renowned Grim Up North Running club, is far from your typical road marathon.
Set against the backdrop of South East Leeds, this trail marathon consists of demanding loop sections that test even the most seasoned runners.
What makes this event particularly challenging isn't just the distance; it's the combination of technical terrain, relentless hills, and unpredictable weather conditions.
"The views of Leeds city centre skyline were absolutely stunning," Bunting reflected after the race. "But those panoramic moments came at a cost—steep climbs, rocky descents, and on race day, some pretty fierce winds that made every mile feel like a battle."
The trail loops wind through varied terrain that demands both physical endurance and mental fortitude. Runners face everything from muddy single-track paths to exposed ridgelines where the full force of Yorkshire weather can hit without warning.
The June 2025 edition proved particularly challenging, with high winds adding an extra element of difficulty to an already demanding course.
Strategic Fueling: The Science Behind the Success
For Bunting, success wasn't just about training; it was about having the right nutritional strategy to sustain performance across such varied and demanding conditions.
His approach centred on three key products from our sports nutrition range, each serving a specific purpose in his fueling protocol.
Pre-Race Foundation: beStrong Creatine Gummies
"I'd been incorporating beStrong creatine gummies into my training routine for months leading up to the race," Bunting explained. "The convenience factor is huge; no mixing powders before early morning training runs, just grab a couple of gummies and go."
The sustained creatine supplementation proved invaluable during the race's most demanding sections. When faced with steep climbs where explosive power output was needed, the phosphocreatine stores built up through consistent supplementation helped maintain performance even as glycogen stores began to deplete in the later miles.
Mid-Race Power: beEnergy Nitric Oxide Booster
Perhaps the most crucial element of Bunting's nutrition strategy was the strategic use of beEnergy during the race itself. "I timed it perfectly for about halfway through, just as we were hitting some of the toughest climbs with those headwinds," he noted.
The nitric oxide support proved particularly valuable given the challenging conditions. Enhanced blood flow and oxygen delivery became critical when fighting both elevation changes and wind resistance.
The boost in endurance and reduced fatigue sensation helped Bunting maintain his target pace through what many runners described as the race's most punishing sections.
Hydration Strategy: beHydrate Throughout
With high winds and varied terrain creating unpredictable sweat rates, maintaining proper hydration balance was crucial. "beHydrate wasn't just about replacing fluids,"
Bunting emphasised. "The electrolyte profile was perfect for the conditions. I never felt that cramping sensation that can derail a trail marathon, especially on those technical descents where you really need your legs responding properly."
The hydration strategy proved particularly important given the loop format of the race, which meant passing by aid stations multiple times but needing to maintain consistent hydration throughout each loop section.
Race Day Execution: When Nutrition Meets Performance
The combination of these three products created a comprehensive fueling strategy that addressed every aspect of endurance performance.
The pre-loaded creatine provided the power reserves for short, intense efforts. The mid-race nitric oxide boost enhanced oxygen delivery when it was needed most. The consistent hydration strategy maintained electrolyte balance across varying conditions.
"There's a section around mile 18 where you're climbing into a headwind with the Leeds skyline spread out below you," Bunting recalled. "It's beautiful, but it's also where races get won or lost. Having that nutritional foundation meant I could actually enjoy the view instead of just surviving it."
The Sweet Reward: More Than Just Cake
True to its name, the Rothwell Cakeathon Marathon delivers on its promise of post-race indulgence. Runners are treated to an impressive spread of cakes and treats, all while sporting their well-earned finisher's medals; substantial pieces that reflect the significant achievement of completing this challenging course.
"The medal has real weight to it, which feels appropriate after what you've just put yourself through," Bunting laughed. "And the cake selection was incredible. After burning thousands of calories on those hills, it felt well deserved."
But beyond the immediate gratification of cake and medals, the event represents something larger about the trail running community. Grim Up North Running has created an event that celebrates both the serious athletic challenge of trail marathon running and the social, celebratory aspects that keep runners coming back.
Lessons for Every Runner
While not every runner will tackle the specific challenges of the Rothwell Cakeathon Marathon, Bunting's experience offers valuable insights for any endurance athlete looking to optimise their performance through strategic nutrition.
The key lies in understanding that different products serve different physiological needs. Creatine supplementation builds the foundation for high-intensity efforts.
Nitric oxide support enhances oxygen delivery when cardiovascular demands peak. Proper hydration maintains the electrolyte balance that keeps everything functioning smoothly.
"It's not about taking everything at once," Bunting emphasised. "It's about having a plan that addresses your body's changing needs throughout a long event. The gummies made pre-race fueling convenient. The nitric oxide booster provided a strategic performance enhancement exactly when I needed it. The hydration kept everything else working properly."
Looking Forward: Building on Success
The success at Rothwell has already influenced how our product development team thinks about creating solutions for endurance athletes. "Experiencing these products under genuine race conditions, especially in challenging weather and terrain, gives us insights that lab testing alone can't provide," Bunting noted.
For runners considering their own nutritional strategies, the Rothwell experience demonstrates the importance of testing their fueling plan during training. "You don't want race day to be the first time you try a new approach," Bunting advised. "But when you find a combination that works, it can make the difference between surviving a tough race and actually performing well in it."
The Rothwell Cakeathon Marathon represents everything we love about the sport: challenging terrain, unpredictable conditions, incredible views, and a community that celebrates both serious athletic achievement and the simple joy of crossing a finish line. With the right preparation and nutritional strategy, even the toughest trail marathons become opportunities to discover what's possible when training meets smart fueling.
Ready to fuel your own trail running adventures? Explore our full range of sports nutrition products designed to support endurance athletes through every challenge the trail can throw at you.
