In praise of the Voom Pocket Rocket

I've now run 10 consecutive sub-3 marathons between 2022 and 2026. During that time, plenty has changed. I've upgraded my watch, switched shoes, experimented with different race vests and even changed my sock choice several times. One thing, however, hasn't changed. Before every single one of those marathons, without fail, I've eaten a Voom Pocket Rocket.

My routine is almost always the same. I'll have two blocks around an hour before the start and another two about half an hour before the gun. By that point, breakfast has usually been sitting comfortably for two or three hours, and I find the Pocket Rocket much easier to digest than trying to squeeze in anything more substantial closer to race time. It's also a welcome alternative to gels, especially given I'll be consuming plenty of those over the next three hours.

The Pocket Rocket contains glucose syrup, sugar and oat flour, together with added caffeine, taurine and electrolytes. Each bar provides up to 45g of carbohydrate, 176 calories and 175mg of caffeine, which is roughly the equivalent of a very strong cup of coffee. I like knowing I'm topping up my carbohydrate stores before the race without feeling uncomfortably full, and after so many years of following the same routine I now associate those first few bites with the countdown to the start line.

That's true in training as well. Before most hard sessions I'll eat a couple of blocks, particularly if I'm heading out early in the morning, and I've developed an almost Pavlovian response to them over the years. Before long I can feel myself waking up and getting into the right frame of mind for the session ahead.

They don't really work for me during a marathon, though, because chewing at sub-3 pace feels awkward and unnatural. If I'm taking on carbohydrate once the race has started, I want something I can swallow almost immediately without breaking stride, which is where gels come into their own. The same applies after the finish, because although replacing lost glycogen is essential, the last thing I usually fancy is more concentrated sugar and I'd much rather reach for a banana, some toast or a proper meal.

The texture deserves a mention because it's one of the reasons I've stuck with them for so long. They're a little reminiscent of Kendal Mint Cake, but less grainy and much less prone to crumbling or melting. Even on hot race days they've generally held together well in my pocket, and on longer, steadier training runs I'll often break a bar into individual blocks and carry them in a small resealable bag so I can eat them when I need them without making a sticky mess.

They've travelled thousands of miles with me, too. I've packed Pocket Rockets in my hand luggage for races in both San Diego and Seville, alongside my race shoes, because I never trust checked baggage with anything I might need on race day. Once something becomes part of a routine that's served you well for years, it makes little sense to leave it to chance.

I should add that this isn't sponsored. Voom hasn't asked me to write this article and has no idea I'm doing so. You can buy Pocket Rockets directly from Voom or through Amazon, and while delivery is usually a little quicker from Amazon if you're a Prime member, Voom run a generous loyalty scheme that rewards repeat customers with discounts. Given how many Pocket Rockets I've worked my way through over the years, I've benefited from that more than a few times.

Voom make Pocket Rockets in several flavours, but Mixed Berry is comfortably my favourite and the one I always order. Pink Grapefruit sits firmly at the other end of my rankings, although it must have plenty of fans because it's survived in the range for a long time.

There are plenty of running products I've tried once and never bought again, while others have enjoyed a brief spell before disappearing from my kit bag altogether. The Voom Pocket Rocket has become an essential item, and - as someone who has been running marathons for over three decades - that demonstrates its value.