Leading Applied Sports Scientist Joins Experts’ Corner Stage at the London Marathon Expo

Head of the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science (SHAS) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham Prof John Brewer will be speaking on the Experts’ Corner Stage at the Virgin Money London Marathon Expo this week. Applied Sports Scientist Prof Brewer, who is also running in the London Marathon for the 17^th time, will be speaking on optimum hydration and nutrition for endurance running. His presentation will focus on how to prepare for the race in the days and hours before the start and will explain what fluids and nutrition are available on the course and how best to utilise them. In addition, Prof Brewer will discuss how to develop a post race recovery strategy and highlight the importance of replacing the fuel lost during the race. In addition to the ten talks given on Friday and Saturday at the Expo, Prof Brewer will also lead the Marathon information desk in front of the Experts’ Corner Stage with St Mary’s Exercise Physiologist James Earle and MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology student Ben Williams. At the information desk, runners can find out about anything from their best pre-race breakfast, where the drinks are on course, and how best to travel to the start lines on Sunday morning. Speaking at the event Prof Brewer said, “It is a great honour to be involved with the Virgin Money London Marathon, and I am delighted that along with James and Ben, we are able to ensure that St Mary’s has a strong presence supporting the event. For many of the 38,000 runners this will be their first and only marathon, and hopefully the advice that we can give them into areas such and hydration, nutrition and pacing will help them to have a highly successful and enjoyable day.” St Mary’s has a long history with the London Marathon; in addition to a number of students, staff and alumni competing in the race itself, the London Marathon has also supported the Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) since 2001.