By Tag Clar Editorial
In 2016, John Fordno set a world record in triathlon at the Roth Challenge with an extraordinary performance. After swimming 3.86 kilometers, cycling 180 kilometers, and running 42.195 kilometers, he managed to record a time of 7 hours, 35 minutes, and 39 seconds, a record that still looks impressive. However, now he says that the main reason for the strange increase in performance in this sport is nutrition.
Nutrition Revolution in Triathlon
Fordno points out that athletes are now focusing on improving carbohydrate absorption instead of just fat burning, saying: "In the past, athletes could only consume 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour, but now this number has reached 150 grams and more." These changes have allowed runners and cyclists to perform better, and there are no longer severe drops in performance during races.
These changes in nutrition are evident not only for Fordno but also for other prominent athletes. Current champion, Kristian Blummenfelt, set a world record on April 18, 2023, with a time of 7 hours, 21 minutes, and 24 seconds, breaking Fordno's record by more than 14 minutes.
A Bright Future for Triathlon
In the women's triathlon world, Anne Haug has come close to the 8-hour mark with a record of 8 hours, 2 minutes, and 38 seconds. Future competitions may witness even more astonishing new records, especially with athletes like Lucy Charles-Barclay and Kat Matthews participating.
Fordno believes that these developments have occurred due to scientific advancements in nutrition and the production of high-quality carbohydrate products. He says: "This is a fundamental change and has a positive impact at all levels, even among amateur athletes." Given these developments, the future of triathlon looks exciting and full of new records.
