PURPOSE: By analyzing the energy expenditure figures of each group (training group, marathon group and cross-country running group) and their nutrition intake figures, some reasonable suggestions were given to solve the problem of nutrition intakes in daily training or competition. METHODS: The energy expenditure data were collected by wearing 3-axis accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X, USA) when 10 amateurs did 10km training, 6 amateurs did marathon competition, and 6 amateurs did 50-100 km cross-country running. They were asked to recall and record all the foods and beverages during competition or training. After measuring energy expenditure during their exercises, and recording the process of nutrition supplement, we compared the differences in energy expenditures of different groups, and analysis the relativity between energy expenditures and nutrition intakes. RESULTS: (1) The energy expenditure figure of training group was 0.66±0.10 kcal/kg/km , which was observably less than those of marathon group(1.22±0.32 kcal/kg/km) and cross-country group(1.20±0.18 kcal/kg/km)(P<0.01); however, there was no any obvious difference between the marathon group and cross-country group(p>0.05);(2) The calorie of supplement intakes was 756.17 ±387.80 kcal/kg/km , which was significant lower than the calories of energy expenditure (2331.61±939.30 kcal/kg/km) in 22 amateurs. However, there was a positive correlation between energy expenditure and supplement intake among the 22 amateur athletes(r=0.950,P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (1) The energy expenditure level during daily training was obviously lower than which during competition in amateur runners;(2) The nutrition intake didn't meet the demand of energy cost during long distance running although the runners had followed the principle of “the more energy cost, the more supplement will need”.