New data from Grubhub provides pasta guide for NYC Marathon

While pasta is good at any time, it’s especially important when preparing for a long run like the New York City Marathon. The marathon begins on Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 and for the first time in two years, the marathon will be at full capacity at 50,000. That means there will be lots of orders to Grubhub for pasta the day before.

Grubhub ran the numbers of people who ordered pasta before the big day last year (Nov 6, 2021) and revealed what pasta dishes were ordered the most. You might be surprised by the answers. They also revealed the data for what the top pasta dish of 2022 has been so far. Again, you might be surprised at the top answer.

But as the marathon is right around the corner, let’s take a look at what “carb-loading” pasta dishes runners order the most of:

• Penne alla vodka
• Rigatoni alla bolognese
• Cacio e pepe
• Spaghetti carbonara
• Spaghetti bolognese
• Spaghetti pomodoro
• Orecchiette
• Pappardelle bolognese
• Gnocchi alla sorrentina
• Spaghetti al limone (lemon pasta)

People are really loving the penne alla vodka! But it’s not just popular with runners of the NYC marathon. It’s also the top pasta order of the year.

Grubhub reveals what runners are eating before the NYC Marathon

The other pasta dishes on the list of most ordered this year include:

• Baked ziti
• Fettucinne alfredo
• Lasagna
• Rigatoni bolognese
• Spaghetti carbonara
• Spaghetti bolognese
• Spaghetti pomodoro
• Cacio e pepe
• Pappardelle Bolognese

But what about after running 26.2 miles? You need something to eat to help you recover, right? Well, Grubhub collected data from that period too. They looked at what people ordered most of on Nov 7, 2021 and the results include a lot less pasta and a whole lot more sushi:

• Cheeseburger
• Pad Thai
• Cheese pizza
• California roll
• Mozzarella sticks
• Spicy tuna roll
• Salmon avocado roll
• Garlic knots
• Burrito bowl
• Chicken tikka masala

If I had just run over 26 miles (why do people do this for fun??), I would want a huge cheeseburger too.

With so many more runners this year, it will be interesting to see what pasta dishes end up at the top of the list for 2022 and what foods will be on the recovery meals list.

What do you eat before running long distances? Are any of your favorites on these lists? Let us know in the comments below!