Runners Carb Load Before the Big Race

Runners Load up on Spaghetti Before Grandma's Marathon Starts

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While everyone has their different pre-race traditions, there’s one thing every runner agrees on: Bring on the carbs!

That’s why at the Annual Spaghetti Feed thousands are taking advantage of all you can eat dinner. 

Two thousand five hundred pounds of noodles, 5,000 pounds of meat sauce and 32,000 meatballs is what’s helping provide the energy runners need to get through those long hours on the road. 

It’s a tradition that dates back nearly 40 years. 

And, it’s a runner’s favorite. 

Half marathon runner, Steve Haverinen, is thankful for the oodles of noodles because he says not loading up before the day before hurts his running performance.

“I know if I don’t eat right my legs get really tired and you can’t maintain the energy to run.  So, it’s really important,” said Haverinen.

With people coming from all over the world, volunteers say it’s a once in a lifetime experience. 

“It’s a lot of fun to see everyone and interact with the runners and people from all over the country and meet new people.  It’s fun every year,” said Spaghetti Feed Volunteer, Katie Cozzi. 

Volunteers expect to serve 8,000 plates of spaghetti. 

So, the athletes should be ready to roll. 

Now, that runners have their carbs, it’s time to hit the pavement!

The first race kicks off Saturday morning at 6:15 a.m.

From all of us here at Fox 21, we wish all of the runners best of luck!