World-class energy: How Amanal Petros fueled his way to a German record
The 2025 Valencia Marathon had it all: near-perfect conditions, a fast course, and Amanal Petros in absolutely top form. What followed was one of the most impressive German marathons of all time – despite a mishap that almost derailed the whole thing.
Words: Lukas Motschmann
Photos: Florian Kurrasch
Almost everything went wrong
Upon arrival, Petros realized he had forgotten his energy gels at home. A nightmare for any marathon runner. His nutrition partner, MNSTRY, reacted quickly and organized the complete set of supplies, which finally arrived on Saturday evening – and Petros could breathe a sigh of relief. When the starting gun fired, all traces of his nervousness had vanished. The German record holder in the 10k and half marathon ran a magnificent race, finishing second behind the Kenyan winner, John Korir, who crossed the finish line in 2:02:25. But the real sensation: Petros shattered the German record. His time of 2:04:03 was a full 53 seconds faster than Samuel Fitwi's mark from the previous year – a quantum leap.
“I am so happy that I have achieved my goal. This is a very nice way to end the year!”
- Amanal Petros
Tactically, the runner-up in the world championships did almost everything right this weekend. He stayed in the lead pack for a long time, then the early dropout of the pacemaker – normally a shocking moment. But Petros didn't react with uncertainty, but with an attack. In the second half of the race, he overtook competitor after competitor, with only Boston winner Korir remaining out of reach.
First half: 1:02:41 (approx. 2:58/km)
Second half: 1:01:22 (approx. 2:55/km)
Even the European record briefly came within reach. In the end, he missed the record (2:03:36h) set by Bashir Abdi in 2021 by less than thirty seconds.
Preparation is everything
Such achievements don't simply happen in competition; they are primarily the product of highly professional preparation at the altitude of Iten. Around 2400 meters, approximately 180 kilometers per week over several months – and fueling as an integral part of the training.
“If energy arrives too late, efficiency is lost.”
- Amanal Petros
Race preparation
Amanal relies on a carbo-loading approach with 6–8 g of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight.
On the day of the competition, the runner-up world champion has a clear structure:
• 15 minutes before the start: CAFFEINE GEL 40 Cherry
• Every five kilometers: POWER CARB HEAT + Gel, alternating with and without caffeine
• After the race: RECOVERY 8
Petros trains not only his legs, but also his digestion. "I test everything during training." Large amounts of energy only work if the body is used to them.
Conclusion
Amanal Petros demonstrated in Valencia how far one can go with good preparation, a clear strategy, and mental composure. A near-disastrous gel-fueled race, a perfect performance, and a German record that makes an impression.
And what does the new German record holder refuel after the race? When asked how he will spend the next few days, he calmly replies: "Open a bottle of wine, celebrate, and carry on."
Anyone who wants to try the same food as Amanal can take a look around the MNSTRY online shop here .
