Santa Madre LACTATE 60: The gel that wants to change sports nutrition in endurance
Santa Madre LACTATE 60: The gel that wants to change sports nutrition in endurance sports
Sports nutrition evolves almost at the same pace as running gear. Each season brings new formulations, ingredients, and strategies with a common goal: to help athletes maintain performance for longer.
In recent years, we've seen an increase in the consumption of gels with higher carbohydrate quantities, new glucose-to-fructose ratios, and easier-to-digest formulations. Now, Santa Madre takes another step forward with a launch that is generating much discussion among runners and triathletes: Santa Madre LACTATE 60.
It's not just another gel. Its main innovation is the incorporation of lactate alongside traditional carbohydrates, a proposal that seeks to offer an additional energy pathway during high-intensity efforts.
But what does this really mean? Who is it designed for? And what do we know so far about the use of lactate during exercise?
What is Santa Madre LACTATE 60?
Santa Madre LACTATE 60 is a new energy gel developed for high-demand competitions and training in endurance sports.
Its formula combines three fundamental pillars:
| Composition | Quantity |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Lactate | 60 mmol |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
| Caffeine | Does not contain |
The 40 grams of carbohydrates come from a 1:1 mixture of glucose and fructose, a widely used strategy to promote high intestinal absorption during prolonged efforts.
The big novelty is the incorporation of 60 mmol of lactate, an unusual ingredient in this type of product.
Lactate: From "enemy" to potential energy source
For many years, lactate had an undeserved bad reputation, being directly associated with muscle fatigue, when today we know that the reality is much more complex.
The body naturally produces lactate during exercise and, far from being a mere "waste product," it can be reused as an energy source in certain tissues, especially when the intensity of the effort increases. It is precisely on this physiological capacity that the development of LACTATE 60 is based.
The idea is not to replace carbohydrates; quite the opposite. Lactate aims to complement them, providing an additional energy pathway during moments of higher demand.
It is an innovative approach that has aroused much interest in endurance sports.
Is it proven that consuming lactate improves performance?
Although the body's ability to use lactate as fuel is well documented, more studies are still needed to confirm the benefits of consuming it during exercise.
That is, we know very well how the body uses the lactate it naturally produces.
What is still being investigated is to what extent lactate supplementation during a competition can translate into a real improvement in performance.
Therefore, it is important to understand LACTATE 60 as a proposal based on a very interesting line of research, but still evolving.
A formula designed for endurance athletes
Santa Madre makes it clear from the beginning that LACTATE 60 is not designed for every situation. Its development is aimed at high-intensity training and competitions where energy demand is very high.
That is why it can be especially interesting for athletes participating in:
- Marathons.
- High-level half marathons.
- Triathlon.
- Road cycling.
- Competitive trail running.
- Other endurance disciplines where intensity is maintained for long periods.
This does not mean that a recreational runner cannot use it, but it is important to understand that the response to lactate can vary considerably among athletes.
Those accustomed to training and competing at high intensities will probably be the ones best able to assess its possible effects.
How does Santa Madre recommend using it?
The usage strategy depends on the duration of the effort. For activities under three hours, the brand recommends consuming one gel right after warming up, before starting the main effort.
If the session exceeds approximately one hour, the suggested guideline is to add a new gel every 40 minutes.
Santa Madre also suggests a strategy of up to three gels per hour, which would provide 120 grams of carbohydrates and 180 mmol of lactate.
However, this recommendation is exclusively for professional athletes with great digestive and nutritional adaptation. For most recreational runners, it would not be an appropriate strategy.
As with any nutritional protocol, it is always advisable to test it beforehand in training and never try it for the first time on the day of an important competition.
A product developed with Yomif Kejelcha
One of the most striking aspects of the launch is its origin.
The development of LACTATE 60 is closely related to the nutritional work carried out by Santa Madre with Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha, one of the world's leading long-distance runners.
The collaboration took place during the preparation for his debut at the 2026 London Marathon, a perfect scenario to continue researching new nutritional strategies applied to maximum performance.
Beyond the sporting result, this joint work reflects Santa Madre's commitment to developing products in collaboration with elite athletes and subsequently transferring that knowledge to other athletes.
According to our nutrition expert José Luis Mulero…
"The most interesting thing about LACTATE 60 is not just the product itself, but the concept it presents. For years, sports nutrition has evolved mainly around carbohydrates, and now new complementary avenues are starting to be explored. However, it's important to understand that we are talking about a product designed for very demanding efforts and that we still need more scientific evidence to know exactly what its impact on performance is."
A launch that has generated much anticipation
Another aspect that demonstrates the interest generated by LACTATE 60 is the reception of its launch.
Santa Madre decided to sell the first units through a limited edition exclusively online, and the stock sold out in a very short time.
For now, the brand has not confirmed an official restock date, but we can confirm that we will be one of its suppliers.
Is Santa Madre LACTATE 60 worth trying?
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions since its launch. The answer depends on the athlete's profile.
If you are looking for a gel for occasional training sessions or short-distance races, there are probably simpler and more established options.
However, for marathon runners, triathletes, and athletes accustomed to competing for several hours, LACTATE 60 represents a very interesting proposal due to its innovative approach.
That said, it is worth remembering that this is not a miracle product.
Its goal is to complement a well-planned nutritional strategy, never to replace it.
And, as with any innovation, it will be time and scientific research that ultimately confirm the true extent of its benefits.
Frequently asked questions about Santa Madre LACTATE 60
What is Santa Madre LACTATE 60?
It is an energy gel that combines 40 g of carbohydrates, 60 mmol of lactate, and 250 mg of sodium, designed for endurance sports.
Does lactate replace carbohydrates?
No. According to Santa Madre, lactate acts as a complementary energy pathway, not as a carbohydrate substitute.
Is it proven to improve performance?
It is currently known that the body uses lactate as fuel, but more studies are still needed to confirm the benefits of consuming it during exercise.
Who is it recommended for?
Mainly for endurance athletes accustomed to training and competing at high intensities.
When should it be taken?
The brand's recommendation is to consume one gel after warming up and, for activities longer than one hour, add another approximately every 40 minutes.
Santa Madre LACTATE 60: one of the most interesting innovations of the year
Every so often, a product appears that manages to generate conversation even before it reaches the hands of runners. Santa Madre LACTATE 60 is one of them.
Its combination of carbohydrates, sodium, and lactate opens up a very promising line of research in sports nutrition and demonstrates that there is still much to discover in endurance performance.
We will have to wait for scientific evidence to continue advancing, but one thing seems clear: few new products have generated as much anticipation among runners and triathletes in recent months. And that, in itself, already makes LACTATE 60 one of the most interesting launches of the year.
If, after learning about this innovative proposal from Santa Madre, you want to try how it fits into your nutritional strategy, you will soon be able to do so at Be Urban Running. We will be one of the official distributors of Santa Madre LACTATE 60, so you can purchase it both through our online store and in our physical stores, where our team can also advise you on whether this gel is suitable for your type of training, competition, and nutritional needs.
