As we head into Memorial Day weekend, our thoughts turn to Monday’s BolderBOULDER 5K and that critical aspect of self-care that can make or break a race participant: hydration. Two corporate sponsors of the annual event would like to help you stay hydrated, and to that end they’re bringing their products to the race course.

First off, 3M Clean Water Solutions has partnered with BolderBOULDER to provide filtered water to race participants at the start and finish lines as well as at all four aid stations. Because the race day water demand can reach about 6,000 gallons, bottled water simply isn’t an option. So 3M is making their water filtration units available so that every hydration point along the route is stocked with clean, great-tasting water.

Secondly, Gatorade’s Sports Science Institute reminds you that hydration isn’t just about water:

Electrolytes Are Crucial.

If you are a heavy sweater or if you finish workouts with your skin and clothes caked with white residue, you may be losing sodium at an increased level. Your diet should contain enough sodium to replace those losses. You can salt your food to taste; during training season and on race day, favor salted carbohydrate snacks and sports drinks over water to help replace the sodium lost in sweat.

Also, replacing lost fluid isn’t just about drinking until you’re not thirsty anymore. The key is preventing a loss of more than 1 to 2 percent of your body weight in fluids. If you get in the habit of weighing yourself before and after training, you’ll learn how much fluid weight you’re losing and how much you need to replace.

Gatorade’s new G series, the G Natural and G2 Natural Thirst Quenchers, will be available to sample at the Gatorade tent at the 1400 block of Pearl Street during the SportsExhibit, May 29th and 30th. On the day of the race, visit their tent at Folsom Field.

And beginning in June, G Natural and G2 Natural will be available for purchase at select Whole Foods stores.