By: Rob Ostrout

We all know the feeling…post run, tired, sweaty and HUNGRY! What better way to field that hunger than with a plate of fresh, hot, sweet and savory PANCAKES! So sit back and review this list of the top five reasons pancakes are the best post run meal, let it act as your warm up for the best pancake run in Texas, Run Project’s annual Hotcake Hustle! 

Reason #1 

There are few better ways to fill your stomach after a long run, or a short run, for that matter than with something sweet, like a stack of sweet pancakes.  Your body craves sugar after a long run, it’s science! As you run your body absorbs sugar and uses it as energy, what better way to refuel your sugar supply than with some tasty pancakes and syrup. Did you know that you also sweat out sugar? According to a study by sciencedirect.com “The concentration of glucose in sweat was 0.06–0.11 mM in normal subjects and 0.01–1.00 mM in diabetic patients.” Just another reason to add some pancakes to your post run meal.  

Reason #2

If you’re anything like me you are starving after a long run. Guess what? Pancakes are filling.  Along with the sugar, your body just burned off a good significant amount of calories. So fill your belly up with some pancakes and much needed calories that you just burned off. According to the  American Council on Exercise (ACE) “Physical Activity Calorie Counter determines that a 150-pound person running at a pace of 5 mph (8.05 kph) will burn approximately 360 calories in 5 kilometers. A 150-pound individual running at this pace will take about 37 minutes to complete a 5K race.” Pancakes sound like a pretty great way to fill this calorie deficit to me. 

Reason #3

The final and maybe the most important reason pancakes are the best post race meal is the fact that Pancakes are fun! Eating them is fun,loading them up with toppings is fun and as a bonus kids love pancakes too, making it not only the perfect post race meal but also an experience the whole family can enjoy. 

Now that we have established Pancakes are the best post race meal you should take a minute to register for the Best Pancake Run in Texas, Run Project’s upcoming Hotcake Hustle that will be taking place Saturday, January 11th 2025. Why is our Hotcake Hustle the best Pancake race in Texas? Well it starts with the warm, buttery, fresh buttermilk pancakes that we will be serving after the race, along with a full toppings bar to load your hotcake up as well as fresh made Hot Chocolate also with a full toppings bar and on site brewed coffee.  We hope to see you there, munching down on some pancakes with us.