I wouldn't do anything spicy beforehand, but Thai food is amazing afterward. Beforehand I'd do something simple like macaroni and cheese with maybe some non-cruciferous (aka not broccoli) veggies and chicken mixed in.

From talking to my friends who have done marathons, it might be worth asking for a little more input on the pre-race meal. Some folks are very particular about what they eat before a race. And while pasta is something of a classic, some of them might appreciate some simple, grilled protein, like chicken breasts or maybe some nice fish (wrap a salmon in some oiled foil and pop it on the grill - simple is probably good)

Nothing too fatty! It's not a calorie thing, it's a "tummy trouble" thing. I get stomach issues around certain mile marks and if I've had anything too oily it's soo much worse! I like just rice and chicken breast, nice and plain. I would ask them, because at this point they've gone on long training runs and know what sits well. But afterwards, bring it on! After my first marathon (after I re-hydrated for a while) I had foie gras, bone marrow, and several cocktails in celebration!

definitely ask them what they want to eat before the race. people can be very specific. Also ask if they have any specific needs for race-morning.

we usually eat pasta the night before, nothing fancy, sometimes with some sauteed mushrooms. Low on the garlic. not too much salad.

Yes, everyone fuels for races differently, but stay away from spicy. I like pizza, personally, which is easy to customize with veg and protein depending on each person's taste. Pasta also works well. You will want to ask them for more input on this meal.

Afterwards, you can throw all the spices back in. What you serve doesn't matter as much, as long as there is a lot of it! Almost all the distance runners I know enjoy a beer or five after a hard effort like a big race.

Yes, everyone fuels differently before a race. You'll need to get more input from your friends. I like pizza, because it's easy on my stomach. You could do individual portions of dough and customize it with different vegetables and proteins for each person's tastes. Pasta works well, too, and is easy to pull together. I like the idea of simple proteins on the side like Beth G suggested. Nothing spicy!

Afterwards, you can go back to spicy. What you serve doesn't matter as much, as long as there is plenty of it! A nice salad with a variety of vegetables wouldn't be out of place. And almost all the distance runners I know enjoy a nice beer or five after a hard effort like a long race.

Yes, everyone fuels differently before a race. You'll need to get more input from your friends. I like pizza, because it's easy on my stomach. You could do individual portions of dough and customize it with different vegetables and proteins for each person's tastes. Pasta works well, too, and is easy to pull together. I like the idea of simple proteins on the side like Beth G suggested. Nothing spicy!

Afterwards, you can go back to spicy. What you serve doesn't matter as much, as long as there is plenty of it! A nice salad with a variety of vegetables wouldn't be out of place. And almost all the distance runners I know enjoy a nice beer or five after a hard effort like a long race.

Before my long runs and before the marathon that I ran this past April, I liked pasta with small ammounts of protein, like shrimp or fish. I will not eat anything with to much fiber the night before a long run! No green veggies, no salad, no beans... :) After my runs I will pretty much eat anything in sight, but I prefer lots of protein! I love eggs first thing when I walk in the door and if there's bacon and pancakes to go along....all the better! Everyone is slightly different, of course, so definitely ask the runners to be more specific about what they do and don't like. Good luck to your friends!

Haha, all I can think of is the fun run on The Office.

"I ate more fettuccini alfredo and drank less water than I have in my entire life."