Marathon Runner’s 16-Week Plan to Achieve Sub 4-Hour: Enhanced Performance and Endurance Benefits from Tongkat Ali 

How do you enhance your running performance and endurance if you are competing for marathon knowing you have only 4 months to train?

For 46 -year-old Syed Shazli who runs 42km per week, incorporating Tongkat Ali as part of his 16-week (4 months) training plan is a game changer that helped improve his marathon running performance, achieving a new record of sub 4 hours in his recent Berlin Marathon.

In this review, we assess the effects of natural supplements as part of a 16-week marathon training plan, how herbs such as Tongkat Ali may improve your fitness level when you are already running consistently, and how it benefits you long term. Our insights will guide first time users on performance health benefits from supplementation paired with a structured marathon training schedule.

Overview

Marathon running is one of the ultimate tests of physical endurance, mental fortitude, and requires strategic preparation along with nutritional support. A 16-week marathon plan for sub 4-hour typically focuses on daily and weekly training schedule together with supplementation and plenty of rest and recovery time.

However, there is a downside if you are training hard for your marathon races, particularly if you are above 30s, 40s or even 50s.

Chronic endurance runners who clock 50km to 100km mileage per week are often exposed to lower testosterone levels (compared to non-athletes) and this may lead to exercised-induced hypogonadism (low-T symptoms) which can impair men’s fertility, progress and overall sports performance.

Optimal testosterone support is important for long distance marathon runners to achieve higher endurance, better time and speed.

Natural testosterone supplements such as Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia) is a go-to pre-workout and post-workout choice amongst marathon runners, enabling optimal testosterone and cortisol support that helps increase stamina, energy and endurance whilst prevent symptoms associated with overtraining.

Nutrition cuts down recovery time, allowing faster progression. This makes a sub 4-hour marathon time achievable if you are training consistently within 16 weeks.

Early clinical trials showed promising results of Tongkat Ali’s effect on testosterone, strength and peak power output for highly-trained athlete and non-athletes, but lab results are often limited and do not reflect real world performance.

To gain deeper insights from a first time user on the impact of nutrition, we reached out to Syed Shahzli, a seasoned marathon runner, who shared how incorporating Tongkat Ali supplementation into his marathon training plan improved his running performance, recovery, and focus over the course of 16 weeks (4 months.)

Reviewer Test Profile

Name: Syed Shahzli

Age: 46

Country: Selangor, Malaysia

Occupation: Events Management  

Tongkat Ali dosage: 200 – 400mg / 400mg / 800mg

Duration:  16 weeks (4 months)

Frequency of dosing: Daily and As-needed (Full Marathon)

Current Supplement Stack: Protein Shake and Tongkat Ali

Previous Supplement Stack: None

Total running experience: 6 years

Average weekly run: 40km

Journey to Sub-4 Hour Marathon Success

Syed, an event industry professional from Malaysia, began his running journey in 2019 with a simple yet relatable goal – balancing fitness with his love for good food.

Previously more active in sports like badminton, gym workouts, and swimming, he turned to running as an enjoyable and sustainable way to stay in shape while being able to indulge in his favourite foods without guilt.

What began as a recreational pursuit quickly transformed into a disciplined passion, as Syed began exploring the world of high-endurance running.

Now a dedicated runner and founder of a community run club, Syed trains rigorously and participates in endurance races ranging from half-marathons (21km) to full marathons (42km) on a monthly basis.

“Whilst recreational runners may benefit from elevated testosterone on a short term, the constant pursuit of better performance, faster recovery, and improved endurance amongst serious marathon runners often leads to choosing the right natural supplements that helps performance” said, Shahid Shayaa, CEO and Founder of AKARALI.

He added “Syed’s consistent racing schedule reflects his commitment to progress and performance, as he constantly pushes his limits and strives to achieve new personal bests. We believe in helping him gain better performance through natural supplementation and nutrition.”

With the exception of protein shake that he took occasionally, Syed never took other vitamins, supplements or Tongkat Ali prior to this test review. This makes it a rather honest and unbiased review of natural supplement if you are looking for that one herb that boosts sports or running performance.

For someone who is not a full-time athlete and never took any form of adaptogenic or testosterone supplement, his annual running records are impressive, averaging 5 runs a week, and clocking in a whopping 1,987km over 217 runs as of December 2024.

But the question we had was – since he has considerably good fitness levels at the age of 46 and he had never tried any supplements except for protein shakes, can he do better with Tongkat Ali?

16-Week Marathon Training Plan

For runners who has at least 2 years of basic running experience, incorporating the following marathon training plan for 16 weeks may yield to significant progress in terms of time, endurance and speed.

Our plan replicates seasoned marathon’s training schedule, incorporating sufficient rest days and ideal for those who are beginner and those who started their running journey late (eg: 40s or even 50’s)

Please scroll left to view the table.

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
1 Rest 6km Easy Run Cross-Training 6km Tempo Run Rest 10km Long Run 12km Long Run
2 Rest 6km Easy Run 3x800m Intervals 8km Easy Run Rest 12km Long Run 14km Long Run
3 Rest 7km Easy Run Cross-Training 8km Tempo Run Rest 14km Long Run 16km Long Run
4 Rest 7km Easy Run 4x800m Intervals 10km Easy Run Rest 16km Long Run 18km Long Run
5 Rest 8km Easy Run Cross-Training 10km Tempo Run Rest 18km Long Run 20km Long Run
6 Rest 8km Easy Run 5x800m Intervals 10km Easy Run Rest 20km Long Run 22km Long Run
7 Rest 9km Easy Run Cross-Training 12km Tempo Run Rest 22km Long Run 24km Long Run
8 Rest 9km Easy Run 6x800m Intervals 12km Easy Run Rest 24km Long Run 26km Long Run
9 Rest 10km Easy Run Cross-Training 12km Tempo Run Rest 26km Long Run 28km Long Run
10 Rest 10km Easy Run 7x800m Intervals 14km Easy Run Rest 28km Long Run 30km Long Run
11 Rest 8km Easy Run Cross-Training 10km Tempo Run Rest 20km Long Run 24km Long Run
12 Rest 6km Easy Run 8x800m Intervals 8km Easy Run Rest 18km Long Run 20km Long Run
13 Rest 6km Easy Run Cross-Training 6km Tempo Run Rest 16km Long Run 18km Long Run
14 Rest 5km Easy Run 6x800m Intervals 6km Easy Run Rest 12km Long Run 16km Long Run
15 Rest 4km Easy Run Cross-Training 4km Tempo Run Rest 8km Long Run 12km Long Run
16 Rest 3km Easy Run Rest 3km Easy Run Rest 5km Shakeout Run Race Day: Marathon

Nutritional Support & Supplement in Marathon Training

Nutrition from minerals, vitamins and supplement play an important role during recovery and rest days, particularly if you are above 40.

If you decided on a 16-week running plan, you may opt for a good set of diet, less processed food, plenty of carb-loading before running and set of iron, calcium, potassium and other electrolytes to support their long-distance endurance.

However, aging has inevitable effects on testosterone and cardiovascular health, especially when you just started running at the age of 40 or even late 30s. Despite efforts of maintaining a healthy testosterone levels, this drop may be profound in chronic endurance runners and aging males above 40.

For seasoned runner above 40s, there are herbs and supplements such as Tongkat Ali, Ashwagandha or even Panax Ginseng that can be useful to enhance performance, provided you choose high quality herbs with standardized extract.

“I was initial little sceptical about Tongkat Ali at first. But it has contributed to my marathon training progress after the first three weeks of using it daily.” said Syed

Endurance Benefits of Tongkat Ali: Before and After

After confronting his initial scepticism, we tracked Syed’s weekly marathon training and running progress, leading up to his major race in Berlin to ensure he is taking Tongkat Ali with the right dosage and protocol.

In our analysis, we observe his athletic and cardiovascular performance metrices before and after Tongkat Ali supplementation by comparing two marathon datasets in a span of 12 months.

Here is a short summary after taking Tongkat Ali daily for 16 weeks, leading to a new record time of 3 hours, 55 minutes and 30 seconds at the Berlin Marathon in Sept 2024.

Baseline Performance: Before Taking Tongkat Ali

Time4 hours 36 minutes 57 seconds
Average Pace6.33 / km
Distance42 km
Average Heart Rate155 bpm
Max Heart Rate180 bpm
VO2max49.0%
Elevation Gain232 meters
Tongkat Ali Dosage (Training)
Tongkat Ali Dosage (Before Race)
Duration of Tongkat Ali Supplementation
Race LocationKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date1st October 2023

Performance Results: After Taking Tongkat Ali

Time3 hours 55 minutes 30 seconds
Average Pace5:32 / km
Distance42 km
Average Heart Rate154 bpm
Max Heart Rate190 bpm
VO2max51.7%
Elevation Gain190 meters
Tongkat Ali Dosage (Training)200mg to 400mg
Tongkat Ali Dosage (Before Race)800mg
Duration of Tongkat Ali SupplementationDaily for 16 weeks
Race LocationBerlin, Germany
Date29th Sept 2024

In our pilot study, running performance data (before vs after Tongkat Ali supplementation) showed an improvement in VO2 max (49% to 51.7%) with a significant reduction of 41-45 minutes, indicating faster running time for a full marathon distance after 12 months.

This sub 4-hour performance of a full marathon distance is based on a Tongkat Ali dose of 200mg-400mg daily accompanied by a 16-week of marathon training plan comprising of speedwork, Long Slow Distance (LSD) runs, tempo runs, hill repeats, and cross-fit strength training.

By integrating structured training methods, good food, community support from fellow runners, and supplementation with AKARALI’s standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract, our analysis showed that Syed has not only enhanced his endurance levels and recovery rate but has also pushed his confidence to excel in highly competitive international events, including prestigious races like the World Marathon Majors.

“I broke my Personal Best record time in Berlin Marathon with AKARALI powerful standardized Tongkat Ali extract.”

“A 3:55:30 marathon finish with an average heart rate of 154 bpm and 5:32/km pace is a strong achievement, indicating well-trained aerobic capacity, effective pacing, and good endurance.” said a health coach based on New York after we shared the news on the use of Tongkat Ali as a sports-enhancing supplement in the Berlin Marathon.

“Given Syed has no prior experience with supplementation, his running journey and performance vis-à-vis his age were a testament to how quality natural supplement can lead to remarkable improvements in endurance and overall fitness.” said Alex Kua, a Community Lead for AKARALI

In his words, the results from supplementation speak for themselves – within months of using AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali with no other changes to his diet or training regimen, Syed achieved personal bests in consecutive races, finishing one marathon without walking for the first time ever, and ultimately smashed his Berlin Marathon time by an impressive 45 minutes improvement, clocking his first sub-4 full marathon finish at 3:55:30.

Sharing data from his Garmin during the Berlin Marathon, he also highlighted progressive improvements in his pace as well as a steadier heart rate throughout his race. This could be potentially due to the positive effects of Tongkat Ali on cardiovascular and arterial health as evidenced in other studies.

Fitness Tracker Pace
Fitness Tracker Heart Rate

“I got to see the effectiveness of taking AKARALI for a race at the end of July for a 42km race where I managed to renew my personal best full marathon time! I then had another 30km race in September, 2 weeks before the Berlin Marathon, and, again, I managed to clock my fastest 30km at 2:58:37. During the Berlin Marathon itself, I smashed my full marathon time by 45 minutes!”

Maintaining an average heart rate of 154 bpm for nearly 4 hours in marathon races falls under Zone 3 (aerobic endurance zone) is considered excellent, with higher-than-average stamina

This shows real-world performance of Tongkat Ali when used daily by seasoned road runners and similarly, the same level of progress and performance were shared by other ultramarathon trail runners who took AKARALI as reported in a 8-week Tongkat Ali performance test review.

Is Tongkat Ali Effective for Endurance Athletes?

Speaking to most athletes who used AKARALI, its patented standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract stands out as the unique differentiator due to its clinically tested potency, and higher efficacy.

Unlike other generic Tongkat Ali products certified by Informed Sports, AKARALI is tested and preferred by athletes as the brand prioritizes quality harvesting and extraction technology, ensuring higher bioavailability of eurycomanone and eurypeptides through standardization that adheres to Tongkat Ali standards MS2409. This ensures consistent, and replicable benefits when put to the real-world test by performance-oriented athletes.

For endurance athletes like Syed, this translated into tangible results after taking Tongkat Ali for 16 weeks.

  • Improved Endurance: During a full marathon, he maintained a steady pace without walking for the first time ever, attributing his improved endurance to standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract.
  • Enhanced Stamina and Performance: Daily and as-needed supplementation helped him clock his fastest 30km race and achieve an impressive sub-4 result at the Berlin Marathon.
  • Faster Recovery: Muscle soreness and fatigue post-marathon were significantly reduced, allowing him to complete light runs the day after full marathon races. He also noted improved overall sleep quality.
  • Increased Mental Focus: Syed found that Tongkat Ali helped him stay mentally sharp and push through the notorious 30km wall during marathons.

“My running endurance improved a lot with AKARALI. It was my first full marathon where I didn't walk at all, I ran a steady pace from start to finish, as I felt my body could go the distance.”

Tongkat Ali Performance Gains Supported by a Consistent Regime

For runners aiming to integrate Tongkat Ali into their training, consistency is key, according to Syed. His supplementation routine offers a blueprint for optimal performance for runners:

  • Training Period: Syed takes 1 capsule (200mg) of AKARALI Tongkat Ali first thing every morning to maintain consistent baseline energy and hormonal balance. On days with speedwork sessions or long runs, he increases the dosage to 2 capsules (i.e 400mg) an hour before the session to ensure sustained stamina, mental focus, and endurance during high-intensity efforts.
  • Race Days: On race days, Syed adapts his supplementation to match the demands of the event. For half marathons (21km), he takes 2 capsules pre-race to optimize energy levels and reduce mid-race fatigue. For full marathons (42km), he increases the dosage to 4 capsules (800mg), allowing his body to maintain endurance and resilience over the extended distance. This protocol ensures that he remains strong, focused, and steady throughout the race without experiencing the typical energy crashes that many runners face.
  • Loading Phase: Syed emphasizes the importance of patience and consistency during the initial loading phase. He notes that visible results from Tongkat Ali begin to appear after 3 weeks of regular use. For runners new to Tongkat Ali, he advises sticking to the routine and allowing the body to adapt gradually for the optimal outcomes.

Syed’s structured marathon plan enabled him to achieve noticeable gains without needing to overhaul his existing diet or fuelling strategies. He attributes his ability to sustain higher mileage, bounce back quickly from fatigue, and smash personal records to this carefully planned supplementation strategy.

Following his new personal best finish at the Berlin Marathon, Syed has opted to take a month-long break from dosing, demonstrating a balanced approach to supplementation.

Now, as he prepares for the Tokyo Marathon in 2025, he plans to replicate this proven marathon training plan, confident that incorporating AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali will once again provide the performance boost needed to reach new milestones.

For marathon runners, Syed’s experience serves as a valuable guide on how to integrate Tongkat Ali into their training blocks to unlock peak performance, faster recovery, and sustained energy on race day.

“For my Berlin Marathon training block, I took it from July - September. After the race, I took a break from taking it the whole of October. I am now starting to take it again for my Tokyo Marathon.”

Synergies with Other Supplements

Due to the versatility of this herb, Syed combines AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali with protein shakes for post-workout recovery – a common practice by most athletes to reduce overtraining symptoms that can impair athletic performance.

The combination complements his marathon training, supporting better muscle repair and reducing overall fatigue.

As he has not experimented mixing Tongkat Ali with other supplements such as Ashwagandha, Fadogia or Turkesterone, he firmly attributes standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract as the key differentiator in his performance gains over the past 4 months.

And coming from a captain who manages a running community with more than 100 members, his remarks bring stronger credibility to other athletes who aspire to achieve higher performance with the right natural supplements such as AKARALI.

Recovery and Fatigue

One of the most notable and immediate benefits Syed experienced after taking Tongkat Ali was improved recovery. Unlike before, where post-marathon fatigue sidelined him for at least a day, he now feels ready for light runs as early as the next day.

The difference was noticeably significant, especially during demanding training blocks where recovery plays a crucial role in maintaining performance. This was evidence in another performance test review by a British pro-sprinter Khadaffii who took Tongkat Ali daily for six weeks.

Standardised hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract works by supporting the body’s natural anabolic processes, which help repair and strengthen muscles more efficiently. Its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties further minimize muscle soreness and reduce oxidative stress caused by intense endurance activities.

“Overall, my fitness level improved after taking Tongkat Ali. Leg soreness and fatigue has minimised. I am able to do a light run the day after a full marathon. Compared to before where I will usually skip the next day to fully recover from fatigue.”

During marathon training, the ability to recover quickly is critical, as it allows runners to sustain high mileage and intensity without risking injury or burnout. Syed has found that Tongkat Ali not only aids his body in bouncing back faster but also ensures he is able to remain consistent with his training schedule – something that is vital for achieving performance goals like personal bests.

He also reported significant improvements in his sleep quality after taking Tongkat Ali, a factor often overlooked by most athletes but vital for recovery. Deep, restful sleep is when the body undergoes critical repair processes, including muscle tissue regeneration and hormonal balance. With Tongkat Ali’s natural ability to regulate cortisol levels, improve thermoregulation, and enhance overall sleep rhythm, Syed has been able to achieve a more restorative sleep cycle. He shared the significant before and after results with just over 1 week of supplementation from his smartwatch data.

Fitness Tracker Recovery

“Supplementation with AKARALI has contributed to improving my body’s endurance and overall quality of sleep, as long as I follow my sleeping timetable.”

Impact on Mental Resilience and Stress Management

Marathon running is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. Syed highlights how Tongkat Ali enhanced his mental focus during long runs through its properties that boost dopamine levels and and reduce cognitive stress at the same time.

The ability to stay calm and mentally engaged enabled endurance athletes like Syed to overcome the typical moments of self-doubt, particularly at the 30km mark where stress hormone (i.e cortisol) is at the highest. He also reported lower overall stress levels during training as well as tough races, attributing this to Tongkat Ali’s effects on balancing cortisol levels and energy management.

“It has definitely got me fully focused on my runs. When running a full marathon, the mental wall usually hits me at the 30km mark, but with a focused mind, AKARALI got me through it.”

Should Marathon Runners Consider Tongkat Ali?

For marathon runners and other endurance athletes, AKARALI Tongkat Ali offers several standout benefits, according to Syed, a seasoned marathon runner who is also the Captain of KJRC, a running community based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia:

  • Endurance Boost: Enhanced ability to sustain pace over long distances.
  • Stamina and Energy: Improved performance and energy levels in speedwork, long runs, and races.
  • Faster Recovery: Minimized muscle soreness and fatigue, even after tough runs.
  • Mental Focus: Sharper focus and reduced stress during races and training.
  • Clinically Tested: Standardized, pure, and potent, ensuring consistent and replicable results.

Parting Words

For seasoned marathon runners looking to break through performance plateaus, improve recovery, and enhance mental resilience, AKARALI’s standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract is a powerful all-natural and organic ally.

Syed’s remarkable 4-month journey of integrating Tongkat Ali both daily and as-needed highlights its transformative impact and versatility for both rigorous training and competitive races.

By following a consistent regimen during his training block, Syed not only achieved new personal bests but also delivered an outstanding result at the Berlin Marathon, breaking the sub-4 barrier. His success serves as compelling evidence of how Tongkat Ali supplementation can support endurance athletes in achieving peak performance over the long term.

Whether you’re training for your next marathon or ultramarathon, clinically tested Tongkat Ali could provide the edge you need to achieve your goals. With Syed’s success story as inspiration, it’s clear that Tongkat Ali is a safe and reliable performance-enhancer that delivers tangible results. His hearty recommendation to other runners who want to try it is simple, advising patience and consistency for optimal outcomes.

“Let Tongkat Ali work its magic. Be patient during the loading phase, and you’ll see results in as little as 3 weeks. You have to try AKARALI to believe it!”

Why Trust Us?

AKARALI helps runners around the world to achieve their Personal Best and new records in marathon races by combining nutritional support and personalized training plan to achieve better athletic performance.

Developed by MIT scientists, AKARALI uses US-patented Physta formulation developed using a standardized hot-water Tongkat Ali root extract that is clinically tested for its efficacy, potency and purity – and now becoming a popular sports supplement among endurance athletes especially runners in the US, UK and Australia who are focused on outcome-based performance metrices (eg: speed, pace, time and distance).

Our team of researchers spends hours of performance tests with aspiring and highly-trained athletes to achieve better running performance. Through our global community partnership led by Alex Kua, AKARALI has helped many ultramarathon and marathon runners to compete in UTMB World Series and World Majors in recent years.

Full Interview Excerpt

Tell us a little bit about yourself (name, age, where you live, what you do for a living, etc.), your running background, and how you discovered Tongkat Ali and AKARALI

My name is Syed Shahzli, 46 years old. I like in Kelana Jaya, Selangor. My line of work is in the event industry. I am considered relatively new in running, which I started back in 2019. Was never into running before. I played sports like badminton, workout at the gym and swim occasionally. I started to explore running as a way to lose weight while still having the pleasure to eat and not gain weight. It was a way to stay balanced. I first heard about AKARALI from my running club co-captain. He then shared the AKARALI website and it got me interested to give it a shot.

How many kilometres do you typically run per week? What is your best time for different distances like 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon?

In a week I’ll usually run between 60-70km. As I have just started my Tokyo Marathon training the mileage will gradually increase. My personal best time for each distance: 5km – 22:13 minutes, 10km – 49:49 minutes, HM – 1:55:10 hours, and FM – 3:55:30 hours.

How often do you participate in high-endurance races like marathons or ultramarathons? Have you noticed any specific benefits from using Tongkat Ali in your training or races?

I normally participate in race events at least once a month. Any distance between 21km – 42km. As I started to take AKARALI in early July, I got to see the effectiveness of using it at the end of July for a 42km race where I managed to renew my personal best full marathon time! I then had another 30km race in September, 2 weeks before the Berlin Marathon, and, again, I managed to clock my fastest 30km at 2:58:37. I then felt confident that AKARALI improved my overall endurance. During the Berlin Marathon itself, I smashed my full marathon time by 45 minutes – clocking my first ever sub-4 marathon time at 3:55:30!

Can you describe a specific instance where Tongkat Ali noticeably improved your performance or endurance during a marathon or ultramarathon?

From the 3 races I mentioned earlier, my pre-race diet and fuelling for the race were the same from all my other previous races. The only difference was that I have been loading with AKARALI and I told myself that this has got to be the key factor for how I managed to improve my runs. My running endurance improved a lot. It was my first full marathon where I didn’t walk at all, I ran a steady pace from start to finish, as I felt my body could go the distance.

What other supplements do you use in combination with Tongkat Ali? How do they complement each other, and have you noticed any synergistic effects?

I do take protein shakes for my post-workout activities for faster muscle recovery as during a marathon training block I would need to recover fast and be prepared for training the next day.

How do you prepare for a marathon / ultramarathon? Does your preparation routine include Tongkat Ali, and if so, how?

During this training period, I take 1 capsule daily first thing in the morning. On days when I have speedwork session on weekdays and long runs over the weekend I will take an extra 2 capsules an hour before the session. On race day, I will consume 2 capsules for a half marathon distance and 4 capsules for full marathon distance.

Do you feel that Tongkat Ali has contributed to improvements in your stamina or endurance levels? Can you provide any specific examples or data from your runs?

Yes, I feel AKARALI has contributed in improving my body endurance and overall quality of sleep, as long as I follow my sleeping timetable. Data can be seen from my smartwatch.

How does Tongkat Ali affect your recovery process after high-endurance runs? Have you noticed any changes in muscle soreness, fatigue, or overall recovery time?

Overall, my fitness level improved after taking AKARALI. Leg soreness and fatigue has minimised. I am able to do a light run the day after a full marathon. Compared to before where I will usually skip the next day to fully recover from fatigue.

How has Tongkat Ali impacted your mental focus and clarity during long runs like marathons or ultramarathons?

It has definitely got me fully focused on my runs. As running a full marathon, the mental wall usually hits me after 30km, but with a focused mind, AKARALI got me through it.

Do many runners or endurance athletes in your community use Tongkat Ali? If so, what feedback have you heard from them regarding its benefits?

After recommending AKARALI to KJRC runners during our run sessions and letting them try it, they also felt the difference and believe the product does help.

What makes AKARALI’s Tongkat Ali different from other supplements or brands you may have tried?

Can’t say much about this as I haven’t been taking other supplements besides protein shakes.

How long have you been using Tongkat Ali, and do you cycle it or take it consistently? What dosing schedule works best for you in terms of running performance?

For my Berlin Marathon training block, I took it from July – September. After the race, I took a break from taking it for the whole of October. I am now starting to take it again for my Tokyo Marathon training block from November – March 2025.

How does AKARALI Tongkat Ali make you feel during runs compared to other performance-enhancing supplements you’ve used?

Taking AKARALI made me feel confident that I am able to complete my training sessions and perform on race day.

Have you noticed any improvements in your stress levels or ability to handle the physical and mental demands of high-endurance running since incorporating Tongkat Ali into your routine?

It has definitely made me feel calmer and not as stressed while going through training.

Do you think Tongkat Ali can benefit other runners or endurance athletes? If yes, what specific benefits would you highlight?

If it works for me, it will definitely work for other runners too. Many have approached me and asked. After explaining how AKARALI works for me, I will tell them, “You got to try it to believe it!”

What would you like people who haven’t tried Tongkat Ali to know about its potential benefits for runners and endurance athletes in general?

I would like them to know how AKARALI will be able to give that extra boost needed to achieve that time/goals we all work for.

What advice would you give to other runners or endurance athletes who are considering trying Tongkat Ali for the first time?

I would advise to let AKARALI work its magic and be patient during the loading phase. It doesn’t work wonders by taking it 1 day and expecting a miracle immediately. Be patient during the loading phase and you are able to see results as fast as 3 weeks as long as the runner is consistent.

Author

Alex Kua leads AKARALI’s Global Partnership Community to help athletes, sports communities, and thousand of others optimize their well-being through evidence-based research that enables them to make better informed decisions. His legal and business consulting background underpins the rigorous data-driven approach in his writing – from hours of interviews, real-world performance data, and firsthand experiences of real people – offering actionable insights that connects clinical research, emerging health trends, and real-world applications. He is also an experienced researcher in herbal nutrition, with years of deep technical knowledge on Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), including quality standards, industry benchmarks, lab tests, clinical trials, and the use of natural herbs by collaborating with top scientists, herbal experts, and nutritionists. As part of the core team behind AKARALI’s knowledge portal, he empowers people worldwide to access the benefits of high-quality herbal nutrition in a way that is effective, sustainable, and safe. He is also an avid runner, with regular participation in local sports communities and running events.

Our articles are third party reviewed by our panel of experts and medical advisors to ensure the facts are accurate and credible. These are validated against multiple source references which include but not limited to research studies, peer-reviewed journals, pre-clinical studies, clinical tests and other credible publications.

Our panel of medical advisors and experts are highly experienced in their individual fields. However, they do not provide any medical advice or recommendations arising from content published in this article.

Disclaimer: 

The content published on this website is for educational purposes and should not be viewed, read, or seen as a prescription or constitute any form of medical advice. We recommend you consult your nearest GP or doctors before consuming Tongkat Ali or any products which contain Tongkat Ali. For further information, kindly refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.

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