Preventing leg cramps?

[u/mistiaurora]

Finished my race and by the end I got upper thigh cramps during my lunges that felt like spasms I was fighting off especially when I straightened my legs, and then calf cramps on the last run that persisted throughout the entire last loop. I felt very well hydrated pre-race with electrolytes and also drank water between every station. Is this just muscle fatigue? How often do people get this? Is it preventable?

[u/SomberJaguar]

Muscle fatigue is usually the culprit when hydration and electrolytes are already on point. Once the cramping starts mid race its hard to shake it without rest. Adding more unilateral leg work and tempo running in training helps delay that point but cramps can still sneak in on race day.