Person running along a path, surrounded by trees.

Northumbria University research with Kielder Marathon runners

A PhD student from Northumbria University led a study investigating the effect of tart cherry supplementation on recovery following the Kielder Marathon.

35 runners signed up for a field study conducted by a PhD student, Emma Squires, from Northumbria University, investigating the effect of tart cherry supplementation on recovery following the Kielder Marathon. The study included completing the 2023 Kielder Marathon on 8th October, plus measures of soreness, muscle function and blood sampling via five testing visits, one after the marathon and four more at the university.

Padraig Spillane was one of the volunteers for the study, who ran the marathon as his first event of that distance. “I got involved due to a poster at the university and as a keen runner and cyclist, I am interested in relevant research,” he says. Speaking about the marathon itself, he says “it was hard, really hard! But it was also amazing. The route was beautiful and the marshals and event staff fantastic. Particularly on the east side of the lake when they were the only people you saw to speak to for miles at a time. As my first ever marathon I think I took on a big one but all the more satisfying for it and I would definitely do it again.”

People inside a tent at Kielder Marathon.
The field study tested participants after running the Kielder Marathon.

Tart cherries contain high concentrations of polyphenols and anthocyanins, meaning they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. A prolonged endurance event, such as a marathon race, causes an inflammatory response. As a result, individuals experience prolonged strength loss, muscle soreness and inflammation, therefore any intervention that might help reduce the negative effects will be of benefit. The results hope to shed light on a Vistula tart cherry extract (the variety used in this study, brand name CherryCraft®) and its effects after a marathon. The data will soon be under review in peer reviewed scientific journals and will be published this year.

Emma Squires, the PhD candidate leading the study, says “I am so pleased and proud the research team and I were able to get this opportunity and collect great data. This study was such a success, with help from the Events of the North team, the study ran smoothly, and we were able to collect valuable data at the marathon site. Thank you again to all the participants. Here at Northumbria University, high quality research is always ongoing, so we are able to contribute to the gaps in research knowledge. Hopefully in the future there might be more opportunities to work together again.”

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