Don't marathoners have to go to the restroom if they are taking in fluids and running for 4 hours?

Question

I've been told that the body 'recycles' the water you in during a race and sweats it out. I don't know if this is true. Or do most people simply use the restroom during the race, but since we only see the winners who finish in 2 1/2 hours on tv, the potty break doesn't become an issue?

Answer 1

the top runners, the ones who finish in 2 1/2 hours, dont stop for bathroom breaks.

most normal humans do. most marathons provide port-a-potties along the running route for this.

Answer 2

Wish the bicyclists would learn to hold it in, or supply more porta-pottys for their events. Nothing makes your day like checking the fences only to find where they've cut the wire and taken a dump in the water supply.

They may not be entirely to blame though, it's a well established fact that Spandex causes brain damage.

Answer 3

I don't know the specifics of it, but I am a runner and do many many other sports, and everyone know in sports just holds it in. Seriously! For instance, on my hockey team, it's very very difficult to go to the bathroom once you have all the stuff on (especially when you're a girl!!!). You're body just adapts. You're body is so into and focused on the game, nature doesn't function. You just don't need to go if you're that focused. I assume in marathons it would be the same.

Answer 4

The fluids the runners are taking in are being used for sweat. Our body sweats to cope with the situation we are in. In this case the runners are sweating because of the physical work they are doing. They are sweating it out which is why they have to drink so much water so they dont dehydrate.

Answer 5

I have a friend who lives along the marathon route, people are always in his bushes urinating or taking dumps. some develop doarhhea.