What runners ask us

Do I need all the products or just one?

Most runners start with one — the product that addresses their biggest issue — and then consider what else they might need to support their running. We find that a lot of runners either start with our Run Easy collagen to address their connective tissue issues, or our Maple Ignite in search of a more stomach-friendly energy gel. Once your first product is working well for you, layer in what solves your next problem: Sustain if you're cramping or struggling in the heat, Power Up magnesium if sleep and recovery are off, or Accelerate protein powder if you're training hard and feeling flat and sore the next day.

There's no 'perfect' product combination. The range is built so you add what you like in response to your training and recovery needs.

I'm a beginner runner — is this range for me or just serious athletes?

Both. Your tendons don't care how fast or far you run — they respond to cumulative load, which starts with your first mile. If anything, beginners benefit more from collagen than experienced runners as connective tissue adapts more slowly than fitness in the early months, and most of the niggles that stop new runners (shin splints, knee pain, sore Achilles) are soft tissue issues, not muscle ones.

You don't need to be chasing a marathon PB to benefit. You just need to be running regularly and want to keep doing so.

Are your products third-party tested?

Yes. Every batch is tested for purity and effectiveness, and we publish the results. We do it because we think transparency should be the minimum standard in sports nutrition, not a selling point. You should expect this from every supplement brand you buy from. If a brand can't show you what's in the tin, that tells you something.

Do your products contain allergens?

Run Easy marine collagen contains fish. All other products are free from the major 14 allergens — no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no nuts. Full ingredient lists and allergen information are on every product page. If you have a specific allergy and want to double-check before ordering, email us directly and we'll confirm.

Can I subscribe and save?

Yes, and for our collagen specifically we'd strongly recommend it. Run Easy only works when taken consistently, every day, so a subscription takes the friction out of reordering and saves you 20% on every delivery. You can pause, change frequency or cancel anytime through your account — no minimum orders, no awkward phone calls. Most subscribers choose the 500g tin every 6 weeks, which matches the two-servings-a-day protocol most of our runners settle into.

How quickly will my order arrive?

Orders ship from Crewe via Royal Mail 48hr tracked, included free on orders over £40 (£2.99 below that). If you need it faster, 24hr tracked is available at checkout for £9.99. Most UK runners get their orders within a few days and the feedback we hear most often is how quickly it turns up.

Worth flagging: All shipping is carbon-neutral. We'd rather you know that than tell you we've planted a forest somewhere — same spirit, cleaner maths.

Can I try a product before committing to a large tin?

Yes. Most of the range comes in smaller starter sizes — Run Easy from £14.99 for a 100g tin, single Maple Ignite gels from £2.75, single Maple Coffee gels from £2.99, single Sustain electrolytes sticks from £1.49, 100g Power Up magnesium tins from £14.99. You can test taste, tolerance and how it sits with your stomach before committing to the 500g tin or a multi-pack.

The 100g Run Easy tin is enough for about 2 weeks of daily use — plenty of time to see how it fits into your routine before upsizing.

Are your products vegan?

Nearly all of them. Accelerate protein powder, Power Up magnesium, Maple Ignite, Maple Coffee and Sustain are 100% vegan. The one exception is Run Easy, which is marine collagen made from white fish skin. We've been honest in the Run Easy FAQ that if you don't eat fish, it isn't for you.

For vegan runners, the range — besides Run Easy — is built on plants, coconuts, maple syrup, seawater and algae-sourced ingredients. No whey, no casein, no gelatine. We also rotate a free gift with purchases over £55, so it's worth checking the site for our latest offers.

What if it doesn't work for me?

We offer a Love It Guarantee. If you've genuinely given a product a fair go and it's not working for you, return it and we'll refund you the cost of the product (delivery charges aren't included if they were billed separately). Full details are in the returns policy.

One honest note: collagen needs 4–8 weeks of daily use to show it works, so give it a proper training block before deciding. For gels and electrolytes, you'll know from your first long run.

Where are your products made?

Our products are 100% UK manufactured. Every product is made in Britain, in partnership with manufacturers we've chosen that help us keep ingredient lists short and clean. No bulking agents, no artificial sweeteners, no ingredient shortcuts.

We're a small team based in Crewe, Cheshire — not a faceless supplement factory. You can reach us directly by live chat or email, and you'll usually get a response from either Tim or Liz (the founders) or a colleague who truly understands our products.

Is collagen just a beauty product — does it actually help runners?

Collagen isn't just for beauty. Unfortunately, there's a positioning problem the skincare industry has created, and it's cost runners years of benefit. Collagen is the main structural protein in your tendons, ligaments and cartilage — the tissues absorbing load every time your foot hits the ground.

If you're getting recurring niggles, waking up stiff after long runs, or your knees click when you stand up, that's connective tissue asking for support. Run Easy was built for exactly this job, strengthening and supporting your connective tissue. One ultra runner put it plainly: "Without Run Easy, I wouldn't be running!"

Is Type I marine collagen better for runners than other types?

Quick clarification: there are 28 types of collagen, and the numbers refer to where the collagen comes from, not where it goes in your body. Type I is the most abundant in humans — it's what tendons, ligaments, bones and skin are built from. As marine collagen is up to 1.5x faster absorbed than bovine or porcine collagen, this makes it perfect for runners. Protein Rebel's Run Easy is 100% Type I marine collagen from white fish skin. No sweeteners, gums, fillers or flavourings — just hydrolysed peptides that reach the bloodstream within about an hour. Run Easy is a very high quality and clean formulation with a low risk of GI issues.

Do I need to take Vitamin C with collagen?

No — so long as you're eating a balanced diet. Vitamin C is a cofactor your body uses to build collagen into tissue, but the amount you need is small and easily covered by normal food: fruit, vegetables, vitamin-rich breakfast cereals. Runners already eating properly don't need to stack a supplement on top. That's why Run Easy is one ingredient — hydrolysed marine collagen, nothing else. No fillers, no additives, no unnecessary extras.

How long until I notice collagen making a difference?

Most runners start noticing real changes between 4 and 8 weeks of daily use. Some feel it sooner — better recovery the day after a long run, niggles staying quiet, knees that stop clicking. Others take a full training block before the difference becomes obvious.

You won't feel a hit on day one like a gel. What you're building is a foundation. Runners who get past the 6-week mark almost always carry on — the gap becomes visible when mileage ramps up and the usual problems don't appear. That's why so many move onto subscription: consistency is the whole point.

Do I need to take collagen every day, even on rest days?

Yes — rest days might be the most important days to take it. Your tendons are under passive load every time you stand or walk, and overnight is when your body does most of its repair work.

Treat Run Easy like brushing your teeth. Two scoops in your morning coffee, tea or porridge — dissolves cleanly, no taste. Many runners pair it with Power Up Magnesium in the evening: magnesium supports the deep sleep your body needs to actually do the repair work collagen is signalling for.

Can older runners benefit more from collagen?

They benefit more because they need it more. Natural collagen production declines from your mid-20s and accelerates from around 40. The gap between the load you're putting through your tendons and the collagen your body replaces widens every year, which is why niggles start appearing even when fitness holds up fine.

Plenty of our most loyal customers are runners in this exact situation: a 66-year-old using Run Easy to come back from a ruptured Achilles, runners in their 50s heading into 100-milers, people in their 70s still moving daily. The common theme: "It's the thing that keeps me going."

Why marine collagen over bovine or porcine?

Marine, bovine and porcine collagen can all be beneficial for runners, but marine collagen has the edge for two main reasons.

Faster absorption. Marine collagen peptides are up to 1.5x more bioavailable than bovine or porcine. Smaller peptide particles, quicker into the bloodstream — Run Easy starts showing up in blood measurements within about an hour.

Genuinely more sustainable. Made from white fish skin, a by-product that would otherwise be discarded. Fish use far less land, feed and water than cattle or pigs, with a fraction of the emissions. Run Easy is packed in recyclable tins, not plastic.

One honest caveat: if you don't eat fish, marine collagen isn't for you.

Are your gels safe for runners with sensitive stomachs?

Yes — that's exactly why they exist. Up to 90% of long-distance runners report GI issues during racing, and the usual culprits are maltodextrin, high-dose fructose, and artificial sweeteners your gut wasn't built to process at pace.

Maple Ignite is two ingredients: Canadian Grade A maple syrup and sea salt. Maple Coffee adds real coffee for caffeine. Nothing synthetic.

Runners who've had mid-race disasters tell us the same thing in reviews: "no cramps, no sick feeling after", "certainly better on my stomach compared to the usual gels". From 10Ks through to multi-day ultras, our gels are built to keep you running to the finish rather than a portaloo!

What's the difference between Maple Ignite and Maple Coffee gel?

Same natural base, slightly different job.

Maple Ignite — 24g carbs, no caffeine. Your steady fuel from the 30-minute mark onwards. This is what you train with and use for every long run (over 1 hour). Take between 2 and 4 gels each hour.

Maple Coffee — 27g carbs plus 45mg natural caffeine (about the same as a cup of coffee). This is the gel you use strategically. Take 1 gel 15–20 mins before the start, then use 1 per hour — in place of 1 Maple Ignite — from the second half of a long run and during night sections of an ultra to keep you alert. As one ultrarunner said: "I held these back for the latter stages of the 100 mile race and glad I did."

Most experienced runners carry both. Maple Ignite as the workhorse, Maple Coffee when you need the extra boost and mental edge. That's why we sell the Long Run Bundle.

When should I take a gel during a run?

Fuel before you need it. By the time you feel depleted, you're already 15–20 minutes behind.

Under 60 minutes, easy pace: No gel needed as stored glycogen covers it.
60-minute race pace: 1 gel 15 mins before the start. Some runners may take another at 30 mins to give them a kick for the end.
60–90 minutes: 1 Maple Ignite at the 30–45 min mark (1 gel 15 mins before the start if it's race pace).
90 minutes and over: Gel before the start, then every 20–30 minutes according to your carb needs.

The most common mistake we see: runners taking their first gel too late, then chasing the energy dip for the rest of the run. Take it while you still feel fresh.

How many gels should I take in a marathon?

More than most runners think. Current sports nutrition guidance points to 60–90g of carbs per hour, although some runners will only be able to tolerate 40–50g per hour. Our packaging recommends aiming for 2 gels per hour (48g carbs) as a solid baseline, rising to 5 per hour (120g) for elites.

For a 4-hour marathon that's 7–8 gels. For a 3-hour runner, around 6. For anyone over 4:30, plan for 9+. Always carry one extra.

A race-day split most of our runners use: Maple Ignite through the first half, and 1 Maple Coffee per hour in the second half when the legs start asking questions. And practice every gel in training. Never test fuelling for the first time on race day.

Do I need to take gels with water?

Here's where Maple Ignite has an edge over most gels.

Maltodextrin and high-fructose gels need water to digest. Without it, they sit in your stomach. Because Maple Ignite is real maple syrup your gut recognises, it doesn't rely on water to break down. If you miss an aid station or you're on a trail section, you can still take a gel and it'll do its job.

That said, a sip of water after taking a gel speeds up absorption. You're not trapped without it but it helps.

Pairing with Sustain: Sustain is sugar-free, so it pairs cleanly with gels — carbs from the gel, hydration and salts from Sustain, no gut overload. The combination to avoid is a gel plus a high-carb sports drink close together.

I'm taking both your gels and Sustain — will I be having too much sodium?

Short answer: no. You're right in the zone for endurance running.

The maths on a typical race-day hour: Sustain = 500mg sodium. 2 Maple Ignite = 220mg sodium. Total: ~720mg per hour.

UK-registered sports nutritionists (SENR, part of the British Dietetic Association) and peer-reviewed research point to 300–700mg sodium per hour as the starting range for endurance, rising to 1,000mg+ for heavy sweaters and hot weather. For context, one serving of LMNT contains 1,000mg — more than Sustain and two gels combined. But remember that more isn't always better, as too much sodium can sit badly on your stomach. 500mg of sodium in Sustain is the sweet spot for the average runner.

A real risk for runners is usually too little sodium so it's important not to ignore electrolytes during long runs. When your sodium is depleted, this can cause cramping and fatigue, and in severe cases hyponatremia. It's wise to speak to your GP first if you have high blood pressure.

What are electrolytes and why do runners need them?

Electrolytes are the minerals that keep your muscles firing, your nerves talking and fluid where it should be. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride. When you sweat, you lose them. Water alone doesn't put them back, and on a long or hot run, that gap is where cramps, fading legs and hyponatremia live.

For anything over 60 minutes, especially in summer or during long training blocks, you need to replace what you're sweating out. Sustain is built to do that: minerals sourced from coconuts, seawater and algae. No sugar, no flavourings and no nonsense ingredients. As one runner put it: "I brought home an empty bottle for the first time in ages."

When should I use Sustain — during a run or after?

Both, depending on the run.

During a run: For anything over 60–75 minutes, drop a sachet of Sustain in 500ml of water and sip to thirst. Use one sachet in water every hour. In hot weather, start sipping early. Remember the rule of thumb: one sachet per 500ml per hour. If you're a very salty sweater and regularly see salt marks on your clothes, you can increase this to 1.5–2 sachets per hour.

After: Sustain rehydrates faster than water after a sweaty session, so consider taking electrolytes after your run. Remember that recovery starts the moment you stop.

Don't skip electrolytes in winter either. You still sweat under a winter layer, and dehydration blunts performance just as hard in February as in July.

How is Sustain different from a sports drink like Lucozade?

Lucozade and most supermarket sports drinks bundle sugar and electrolytes into one fixed recipe aimed at football, gym and general use. That's fine for a 45-minute session. It falls apart on a long run because you're locked into their carb-to-electrolyte ratio whether it suits you or not. This ratio may not work for you, causing mid-race GI issues. Many sports drinks also include lots of unnecessary junk which may play havoc with your stomach.

Sustain is pure electrolytes. No sugar, no carbs, no syrup, no rubbish. This allows you to dial in hydration separately from fuel. As one reviewer put it: "No sediment, no sugar, no flavour. Just sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. A truly refreshing drink."

Can I use Sustain alongside gels on race day?

Absolutely. Sustain in your bottle handles fluid and mineral replacement. Maple Ignite and Maple Coffee gels handle carbs and add a sea salt top-up. Sustain and our gels are different but complementary.

Keeping fuel and hydration separate is the whole point. You control carbs and electrolytes independently, which is the single biggest lever for avoiding mid-race stomach trouble.

The sodium maths works out comfortably: one Sustain (500mg sodium) plus two gels per hour comes to roughly 720mg sodium every hour — well within the range endurance research supports for long, hot efforts.

How much sodium does Sustain contain — is it enough for hot weather racing?

Sustain contains 500mg of sodium per sachet. This is deliberate — enough to replace typical sweat losses on a standard long run or cool-weather race, without triggering the GI issues that come from very high-sodium intake.

For hot weather, heavy sweaters or ultras, you can double up with a second sachet per hour if needed. The quickest way to know if you're a very salty sweater is to look at your kit after a long summer run. If there's a white salt crust on your cap or vest, you're losing more sodium than average and should plan accordingly.

Stacking Sustain with Maple Ignite and/or Maple Coffee gels adds more sodium on top — a long hot race is fully covered.

Why do runners need protein — isn't that just for gym goers?

Every run causes small amounts of muscle damage. Protein is what repairs it — rebuilding muscle fibres stronger than before. That's how you get faster over a training block, not weaker.

Our protein powder isn't about bulking up, it's about finishing a hard training block in one piece. Most runners fall short of protein on heavy weeks, especially when appetite drops after long runs. Accelerate gives you 23g of complete plant protein per scoop — easy to get in when a full meal feels like too much, and without the bloating runners often get from whey-based protein powders.

How is Accelerate different from a standard protein powder?

Accelerate contains just five ingredients: pea protein, brown rice protein, natural vanilla, sea salt and stevia leaf extract. That's the whole list — no other unnecessary additives.

Most protein powders are built for gym goers, with artificial sweeteners, gums, thickeners and digestive enzymes bolted on to patch a formula that upsets the gut. Accelerate works the other way round: a short ingredient list so there's less to react to in the first place. 23g of complete plant protein per 30g serving — vegan, gluten free and with no added sugar. Accelerate is the protein powder for runners who've spent years reading labels and putting tubs back on the shelf.

When should I take protein after a run?

The sweet spot is within 30–60 minutes of finishing a run or an intense training session. This is when muscle protein synthesis is elevated and your body is primed to rebuild.

For long runs, hard sessions, and back-to-back training days, the window is all the more important. This is when appetite often drops and a full meal feels like too much. A scoop of Accelerate with milk, water or in a smoothie gets 23g of protein into your body without sitting heavy. Also works well stirred into porridge or overnight oats.

Can I take protein and collagen together?

Yes — they do different jobs. Collagen rebuilds connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, cartilage). Accelerate rebuilds muscle. One supports what takes the load; the other supports what moves it.

The pattern most runners settle into is Run Easy twice a day (morning and evening, stirred into coffee, porridge or another drink), Accelerate post-run (with milk, water or in a smoothie), and Power Up magnesium in the evening to support the overnight repair work. One runner called this the "perfect combination for energy, repair and recovery."

How much protein does a runner actually need per day?

Current sports nutrition guidance for endurance athletes is 1.4–1.7g of protein per kg of body weight per day — meaningfully higher than the 0.8g/kg recommended for the general population. For a 70kg runner, that's roughly 98–119g per day. Some guidance even suggests that runners should consume up to 2.4g of protein per kg of body weight if they are training especially hard.

Most runners fall short on heavy training weeks. Appetite drops, meals get rushed, and protein is usually the macro that slips. One 30g scoop of Accelerate delivers 23g — enough to close a meaningful chunk of the gap in one shake. Used consistently, it's the difference between ending a hard week recovered and ending it run down.

Will Accelerate upset my stomach?

For most runners, no — and that's the point. The short ingredient list (5 items, no gums, no thickeners) is designed to give your gut less to react to. "No bloating," "no gut symptoms," "no wind" comes up repeatedly in our reviews, often from people who've had issues with whey or other vegan powders.

Two honest caveats. Sweetness: we use stevia, a natural sweetener. A handful of runners find it too sweet with just water — try milk, porridge, or a smoothie instead. Texture: plant proteins are naturally less smooth than whey and we purposefully don't include gums (for smoothness) in our formulation. A blender is always best, or a shaker if you don't have one. Don't just mix with a spoon.

Why magnesium specifically for runners?

You lose magnesium through sweat every run, and your muscles burn through it with every contraction. That's two drains most people don't replace — which is why around 60% of adults fall short, and runners sit at the sharp end of that.

When you're deficient, it shows up in ways most runners write off as "just tired legs": cramps on long runs, twitchy legs at night, sleep that doesn't restore you, soreness hanging around longer than it should. Food alone rarely fills the gap once training load goes up.

Power Up is seawater-sourced magnesium citrate from the Irish Sea — 275mg per serving plus 72 trace minerals. Nothing else. Just one teaspoon in water before bed. Most runners notice sleep improvements first, then the knock-on recovery benefits. One customer told us: "The difference in my sleep is incredible. Even my Garmin morning report is happy."

Can I take magnesium and collagen together?

Yes — they're built to work together. Different jobs, different doses, but both aid recovery.

Run Easy is for use morning and evening — two servings a day so the amino acids are available whenever your body decides to repair itself. That's your connective tissue support, day and night.

Power Up should be mixed with water about an hour before bed. Just one teaspoon. That's the overnight recovery taken care of — muscles relaxing, nervous system settling, and promoting deep sleep where repair actually happens.

Our collagen and magnesium complement one another, and plenty of our loyal runners use this exact pairing — available on subscription or as a one-time bundle.

When is the best time to take magnesium?

Magnesium is best taken in the evening, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Unlike collagen (which we recommend twice daily), magnesium works best close to bedtime to promote sleep as well as muscle recovery during this sleep window.

Magnesium helps muscles let go after a training day, calms the nervous system, and supports the deeper sleep stages where repair actually happens. Taking it at night lines the supplement up with the biology it's supporting.

One teaspoon of Power Up in water or juice is all that's needed. Slight citrus taste, dissolves cleanly. Many runners build it into a wind-down routine — tin on the counter, last thing before brushing teeth. Consistency is the whole point.

Will magnesium help with running cramps?

Yes it can, but it depends on what's causing the cramping.

Cramps from magnesium deficiency (the slow-burn kind) can show up as twitchy legs at night, cramp waking you up and calves seizing after long efforts. Training raises your magnesium needs by 10–20% and sweat drains the rest. Power Up handles that underlying shortfall to alleviate these symptoms. One customer told us that Power Up led to "a significant reduction in my leg cramps and tension."

Cramps mid-run (the acute kind) can be related to hot weather, long effort and salt pouring off you. This could be more a sodium problem, not magnesium. Our Sustain electrolytes can certainly help here.

Most runners benefit from taking Power Up daily and Sustain during long or hot efforts.

I'm a female runner over 45 — will Power Up help with menopause symptoms too?

Honestly, this is one of the most consistent pieces of feedback we get. The menopause hits runners in specific ways: sleep falling apart, restless legs at night, recovery taking longer, cramps waking you up, anxiety that won't let you wind down. Magnesium won't fix any of this on its own, but low magnesium makes all of it worse, and training drains your levels further.

What a customer said: "We're all told the best recovery is sleep, but if you are menopausal, getting any quality sleep can be harder than a day of hill reps with a 20kg pack. The difference when I take this magnesium before bedtime is incredible."

Many pair our magnesium with Run Easy collagen — collagen production drops sharply from around 40, which is when niggles start appearing, even when fitness holds up fine. Available on subscription or as a one-time bundle.