One large baked potato contains 37 grams of carbohydrate – or about 10 per cent of most runners’ daily needs – that readily enters the bloodstream and quickly restocks spent glycogen stores.

The type of fibre in potatoes keeps your intestinal-tract muscles working and blocks a small amount of kilojoule absorption. In fact, research shows men and women who eat fibre from vegetables like potatoes have less body fat and smaller waists.

Red and purple-fleshed potatoes get their colour from antioxidants, such as procyanidins, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These powerful pigments help stave off cancer and age-related vision loss. Potatoes also contain antioxidants similar to those in broccoli and spinach, which may aid in recovery from tough runs.

A single potato provides a hefty dose of potassium and 35 per cent of your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin C and potassium are both important for healthy heart function.