If you’re travelling to a race, whether locally, cross-country or internationally, then you need to think ahead to plan all the kit you need to pack.
We’ve got the ultimate marathon kit list for you to use to make sure you don’t forget anything, plus all the advice you need for travelling to a race.
Know that all this information works for road races. For trail runs and ultramarathons may have more specific kit (like a head torch, seamed jacket and first aid kit), so always check mandatory kit lists to make sure you have everything you may need – some items like hiking poles may not be allowed in carry on luggage.
TOP TIPS FOR MARATHON KIT AND TRAVELLING TO RACES
🎒 If you’re checking luggage and you think there’s any risk that your bag might not arrive at your destination then pack your full race kit, including shoes and nutrition, in your carry on luggage (you can take gels through in a small plastic bag).
🧦 Take spares of all important items like running socks and race nutrition – take double the number of gels, just to be sure you have enough.
🧣 Remember to take a warm layer to throw away at the start of the race. You may also want a poncho in case it’s raining.
🌦️ Pack for different weather conditions just in case the forecast changes.
🍬 Take any food, snacks and hydration with you that you know you’ll want (especially if you might not be able to buy it locally). This also includes personal items like anti-chafe.
🔌 Remember charging cables for your watch and other accessories.
These are your race day kit essentials and everything you might need to remember for a race weekend. Laying out your kit as you pack it can help to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important.
Not all of these are essential to all runners. Some are weather dependent, some are just optional based on what you like to wear, carry and use, but this is a comprehensive list to work from.
Head to toe, here’s the kit you might need to pack for a marathon or half marathon.
Baseball cap, visor, headband or buff
Sunglasses
Rain jacket or disposable poncho
Race top (consider taking a spare as well)
Sports bra
Arm sleeves
Gloves
Running underwear
Running belt or hydration pack (including soft flasks)
Shorts or tights
Socks (plus a spare pair)
Compression socks/calf sleeves
Running shoes
And don’t forget your race bib and safety pins if it was sent to you in advance
ACCESSORIES AND NUTRITION TO PACK FOR A MARATHON
Running watch
Heart rate strap
Headphones
Charging cables for all your accessories
Running pack, running belt or arm phone holder
Water bottles or soft flasks
Run nutrition (like gels, energy drink, chews, electrolytes – remember to pack more than you need)
General food and drink that you want around the marathon (think specific snacks, tea bags, coffee equipment, protein powder)
Anti-chafe
Rubs or sprays like Biofreeze or Deep Heat
Nipple tape or plasters
KT tape
Blister plasters
Sanitary products
Painkillers and other medication
Vitamins
Toilet paper
Sunscreen
Lip balm (ideally with SPF)
WHAT TO WEAR AND TAKE TO THE START OF A MARATHON
You will likely want to wear old clothes to the race start. Any clothes will be discarded and typically donated to charity:
Old sweatshirt or hoody
Old sweatpants
Beanie if it’s cold
Poncho if it’s raining
Black bin bag to sit on before the start
Change of socks and old shoes if you don’t want to wear race shoes (or if it’s raining and you might get wet feet)
Plus take any extra water, energy drink, and of course all the gels you need for the race
WHAT TO PACK IN BAG DROP OR GEAR CHECK BAG FOR A MARATHON?
Warm top layer (jacket or hoody)
Clean change of clothes (at least a clean top)
Change of trainers or pair of sliders or Crocs
Clean pair of socks
Hygiene essentials (wet wipes, face wipes, deodorant, moisturiser, lip balm, toothbrush and toothpaste)
First aid (plasters, anti-chafe, cooling gel)
Plastic bag for sweaty kit
Post-run food and drink (like salty snacks and a protein shake)
Money or bank card
Portable phone charger (if you run with your phone it can drain the battery)
Mobile phone if you aren’t running with yours (most races advise against doing this so it’s up to you to decide to put your phone into your bag drop)
FAQS ON MARATHON KIT LISTS AND TRAVELLING TO A RACE
Yes, you can take gels in your carry on. Just pack them as if they are a liquid, so they may need to go inside a plastic bag and can’t be bigger than 100ml each.
That’s totally up to you. Some people like to do a short shakeout run, others prefer rest or an easy walk. There will likely be organised shakeout runs around bigger city races but often these happen early in the morning. Attend these if you want but know that more sleep may be more beneficial for your race.
Probably, yes. If you travel very far for a race then your body clock may be disrupted, leading to poor sleep ahead of the race. There’s not much you can do about this apart from finding ways which work for you for dealing with jet lag. One benefit may be that you’ll naturally wake up early on race day, and will hopefully feel awake and ready to run. If it’s a big goal race then consider arriving four to five days before your race.
Sure, go for it! Though if you’re wearing carbon plate supershoes then they aren’t always the easiest to walk in. It may be easier to wear a more comfortable pair to travel in but then take your race shoes in the carry on.
You could travel in your race shoes for the whole trip, but it’s going to be more comfortable if you can also wear or take another pair of shoes. You may want non-race shoes for walking around the Expo, exploring the city or doing a shakeout run. A lot of runners also like to put on sliders or a pair of Crocs after the marathon, so consider packing these.
Some runners are happy travelling into the destination the day before the race and this is typically fine if it’s a short flight – say going from London to Berlin, or Copenhagen to Valencia. Just make sure you have enough time to go to the expo to collect your race bib. If it’s a longer flight with three hours or more of time change – say New York to California, or Tokyo to Boston – then most runners will want to arrive at least two or three days before the race. This gives you time to check in at your accommodation, go to the expo and make some adjustment to the time zone change.
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