Olympic gold medallist Alex Yee will line up in a star-studded field at this Sunday's London Marathon. The 28-year-old triathlete, who won gold in Paris after a remarkable comeback, ran his debut competitive marathon in 2025 and already sits second on the British all-time list behind Sir Mo Farah.
Yee has revealed his pre-race routine includes a 16p banana. He told GQ magazine that he eats plain rice with honey and banana on the morning of a race, and plain white rice with chicken or salmon in the days before. 'It's just safe food without any risk of discomfort,' he said.
In addition to his diet, Yee uses a supplement called Bicarb to help with lactate, allowing him to push harder during endurance events. His routine also involves taking carbohydrates on the bike and gels during the run.
Bananas, which cost as little as 16p, are not only a staple for Yee but also offer health benefits. Research from the University of Waterloo suggests that potassium-rich foods like bananas can help lower blood pressure. Professor Anita Layton said adding more potassium to the diet might have a greater positive impact than just cutting sodium.
Yee recorded his marathon personal best in Valencia last year. Although compatriot Emile Cairess withdrew from pacing duties due to injury, Yee will still serve as pacemaker for the 2026 London Marathon, having described the crowds last year as 'more impressive than I ever imagined.'
