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Marathoner Eats Pizza, Drinks Shots During Races
22 Oct
Summary
- Runner Justine Huang fuels marathons with diverse foods like pizza and shots.
- She embraced a fun, flexible approach to running after a difficult first race.
- Huang's unique race style gained popularity on TikTok, attracting fans and supporters.
Marathon runner Justine Huang has gained attention for her unconventional race strategy, which involves consuming a wide array of foods and beverages, including deep-dish pizza and Jell-O shots, during her 26.2-mile runs. This approach began after her initial negative experience with her first marathon in Long Beach, California, in 2023.
Shifting her mindset for her second marathon in Chicago in 2024, Huang embraced a more relaxed and enjoyable running experience. Her unique race-day fueling method, which includes taking shots and eating snacks offered by spectators, quickly went viral on TikTok. Now, fans create posters for her and bring her shots, celebrating her distinctive participation in marathons across the country.
Huang, who is pursuing a graduate degree in sports business, views food as fuel, emphasizing enjoyment and fun over strict nutritional planning. Despite the unusual diet, she reports no stomach issues, though it necessitates more frequent bathroom breaks. Her most ambitious eating feat occurred in Los Angeles, where she consumed an entire ice cream cone, pizza, Girl Scout cookies, and a chili dog during a single race. The Chicago Marathon saw her consume 21 shots, including one from a soy sauce packet.
Huang, nicknamed "McFlurry Girl" in 2025 after stopping for a McFlurry during a race, plans to continue her tradition at the upcoming New York City Marathon on November 1st. She advocates for a less pressured approach to running, highlighting the supportive community and the potential for free food as benefits of not taking the sport too seriously.
