What's On Course at 70.3 Chattanooga in 2026: Maurten and the New Precision Hydration Drink
This is the third post in a series on race nutrition for 70.3 Chattanooga. If you missed the first two, the hydration post covers sodium strategy and heat management, and the fueling post covers carbohydrate targets and gut training. This one is narrower: what you'll actually find at aid stations in 2026 and one important change that affects how you plan your sodium on course.
Maurten Gels: Same as Before, Worth a Quick Refresher
Maurten has been the official Ironman gel for a few years now, so this isn't new territory. But if you're newer to the race or haven't used them in training yet, here's the quick version.
GEL 100 delivers 25g of carbohydrates per sachet. GEL 100 CAF 100 is identical but adds 100mg of caffeine, which is a real dose, roughly equivalent to a strong cup of coffee. The Solid 160 bar gives you 40g of carbs split into two chewable mini bars.
The texture is different from most gels: thicker, firmer, almost jelly-like, and nearly flavorless. That's intentional. The hydrogel structure is designed to pass through the stomach without the high-osmolarity sugar load that causes GI distress at race intensity. A lot of athletes who have historically struggled with gels tolerate Maurten well. But if you haven't trained with them, now is the time, not race morning.
What's New: Precision Fuel & Hydration PH1000
Starting in 2026, Ironman replaced Mortal Hydration with Precision Fuel & Hydration as the global on-course hydration sponsor. This is the change that matters most for your race day plan.
The PH1000 is a sodium-forward electrolyte drink. It is not a calorie source. Per liter it delivers 1,000mg of sodium, 260mg of potassium, and roughly 6g of carbohydrates. You are not fueling with this. You are replacing electrolytes.
Here's the practical detail most athletes miss:
Ironman pre-mixes large batches at the 1,000mg/liter concentration and distributes it in 750ml bottles on the bike. That means each bottle you grab contains approximately 500mg of sodium, not 1,000mg. On the run it's served in cups.
Why does this matter? Because if you're tracking your sodium intake per bottle, grabbing one bottle does not get you to the full 1,000mg/liter target. You need two bottles per liter of fluid consumed to hit that concentration, or you supplement with electrolytes you're already carrying.
The drink has a mild citrus flavor and is widely reported to taste better than Mortal. That's a low bar but a real one after a few hours of racing.
How This Changes Your Plan
Your carbohydrate strategy doesn't change. The gels are the same, and the principles from the last post still apply.
What may need adjusting is your sodium math if you were counting on the on-course drink to do heavy lifting. The PH1000 is genuinely good for electrolyte replacement and meaningfully better than plain water, but you need to know what you're actually getting per bottle versus per liter.
If you're a heavy or salty sweater and you've been targeting higher sodium per hour, don't assume the on-course drink alone covers you. Supplement with your own electrolyte capsules or tabs, especially on the run.
TL;DR
Maurten gels and solids are on course, same as before. GEL 100 = 25g carbs. CAF 100 version has 100mg caffeine. Solid 160 = 40g carbs.
PH1000 is new this year and replaces Mortal Hydration. It is an electrolyte drink, not a fuel source.
Each 750ml bike bottle = approximately 500mg sodium. The drink is mixed at 1,000mg/liter but the bottles aren't a full liter.
On the run it's served in cups. Grab one at every aid station.
PH1000 has no meaningful calories. Your carbs still come from gels and what you carry.
If you're a heavy sweater, don't rely on the on-course drink alone for sodium. Bring backup electrolytes.
Try PH1000 before race day. It's new to North American courses and the nothing new on race day rule applies here too.
Tri club members get a discount on nutrition coaching through Groundwork Health. Details at groundwork-health.com.
