Running a marathon takes months of planning, preparation and dedicated training. To avoid falling at the last hurdle, we’d recommend that you create a checklist of essential items so that you can make sure you have everything you need when it comes to the day of the event.
If you’re new to the running event scene and you’re not sure what you’ll need to bring, our running equipment list is designed to assist you when packing your bags. Covering everything from the basics such as running shoes to small details that you might otherwise forget, our comprehensive checklist will keep you on the right track.
What to pack for a running event
First and foremost, you’re going to need a reliable backpack or carrier to transport your belongings. We would recommend opting for a sports-specific bag rather than a regular backpack, as these are better equipped for dealing with wet or dirty clothes and shoes. They are easier to clean, and often compartmentalised to keep your clean clothes and dirty ones separate.
If you prefer a holdall style, we’d suggest the Under Armour Contain Duo Medium Holdall Backpack. Its multiple strap attachment points means that you can carry it as a duffle or a backpack depending on preference, and it is made from waterproof materials to keep your belongings dry. Additionally, the separate shoe/laundry pocket at the bottom will prove its value when transporting worn clothing and shoes home after the event.
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| Under Armour Contain Duo Medium Holdall Backpack |
If you prefer to travel with a backpack rather than a carry-on, the Orca Transition Backpack will be a suitable option. The ventilation at the back of the backpack will ensure breathability, keeping your clothes fresh whilst you travel and avoid excess moisture building up on the way back. The covered compartments will also work to keep all of your belongings safe and with a capacity of 50L, you won’t be short of storage space.
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| Orca Transition Backpack |
What running attire to pack
Once you’ve selected your chosen bag, it’s time to pack it with everything you’ll need for the race. Remember that if the running event is segmented into several stages, or you’re taking an extended trip to get some training in before the day itself, you’ll need multiple items of each piece of clothing you take. If there’s no room in your bag for several changes of clothing, we’d at least recommend taking a multipack of running socks. This means that you’ll be covered for accidents such as if one pair gets wet due to unpredictable weather or a leaking water bottle, or if you decide to do extra training. This should also leave you with a clean spare pair to travel home in. More importantly, running socks are essential for enhancing performance and keeping your feet comfortable whilst you race.
The More Mile multipack running socks are an ideal option, as they feature 6 key padded protection points to help absorb pressure, guard against impact abrasion and aid in the protection of joints. They also boast a mesh construction for added ventilation, helping to keep your feet comfortable, whilst the arch brace will help to prevent the socks from slipping in your shoes.
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| More Mile 5 Pack Running Socks Men’s | More Mile 5 Pack Running Socks Women’s |
In addition to your socks, there are a few other things that you’ll need to pack. Not each of these will be necessary depending on your preferences or the climate in which you’ll be running, but you should carefully consider each one and decide whether to put it in your backpack:
- A running top or vest
- Compression layers
- Base layers or running jackets for colder or wetter climates
- Running sunglasses and caps for sun protection
- High visibility gear for events in dark or misty conditions
- Sports bras
- Calf guards, sleeves, and recovery aids
It’s also important to remember to pack a spare change of everyday clothes for your journey back, so that you don’t have to travel in your race day attire. If you’re travelling far, you’ll also want to bring overnight clothes if you plan on staying in the area.
What shoes to pack
To keep your packing light, you should travel in your training shoes or another pair of comfortable footwear and carry your race day shoes separately. This is because you’ll want to keep your race day shoes in the best condition possible to enhance your performance. If you need help choosing a pair of shoes, you might wish to visit our running shoes buyer’s guide.
Travelling in your training shoes means that you’ll be prepared to fit in some last minute sessions before the event starts, whether that be a brisk walk to warm up or a gentle jog the night before your race.
What about hydration and nutrition?
Hydration and nutrition is not to be forgotten when packing for a marathon. Some running events will provide water along the way, and sometimes snacks will be provided at the end of the race to help you recoup your energy. However, it’s best to make sure that you’re equipped with hydration products to help you before, and during the race itself. Since it isn’t practical to carry around lots of heavy bottles whilst you’re running, you can opt for something like the High-5 electrolyte sports drink tablets or energy gels. These will give you additional support when it comes to replenishing your key electrolytes, sodium and magnesium.
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| High-5 Electrolyte Hydration Sports Drink Tablets | High 5 Energy Gels |
If you’re travelling straight back home after your event, we’d suggest packing some healthy snacks such as fruit and nuts in your bag to help replenish your energy until you can have a full meal. You should also ensure you have a spare water bottle to hand to stay hydrated after the race.
ID Bibs, event t-shirts, trackers, and other add-ons
Other items you’ll need to consider bringing are any event branded pieces of equipment, if they are issued to you before the race, such as t-shirts or ID bibs with your number on. You might also want to bring a GPS tracker watch which can be connected to fitness apps such as Strava, this will allow you to record your run if you plan on doing more marathons in the future and it will also allow friends and family to support your journey, even if they can’t be there in person, by tracking your route.
How do you carry belongings when running?
In the case that the event you’re attending is right on your doorstep and you don’t necessarily need to bring all of these extra items, or if you don’t feel comfortable leaving items such as your phone behind, you can opt to bring them with you. To make sure your belongings are kept secure and aren’t uncomfortably moving around whilst you run, choose a running belt or vest for small belongings such as your phone and keys. If you think hydration might be an issue, you may also benefit from using a hydration running backpack or carrier.
Marathon checklist summary
To help you visualise the items you need more easily, we’ve compiled a running equipment checklist that includes all of the items mentioned above, with a few added extras. Check these off your list as you go to make sure you have everything.
Personal care items:
- Shower gels
- Deodorant
- Spare clothing
- Plasters & mini first aid kit
- Gym towel
- Hydration & nutrition items
- Massage gun
Running items:
- Running clothing including running socks
- Training shoes
- Race day shoes
- Tracking devices, ID tags & bibs
- Headphones
- Water bottle or carrier vest
- Sports bras
- Joint supports
- Sunglasses, hats, gloves, etc
- Running jacket or base layers
- Hi-Vis gear
Prepare for your running event with Start Fitness
If you’re planning on running in an upcoming marathon, we can support you with a vast range of high-performance running clothing, shoes and accessories. However, our support doesn’t end with our attire. We can also provide you with additional resources such as our half marathon training plan and full marathon training plan, located on our blog. Our blog is regularly updated with new guides and tips to help you kickstart your fitness journey and find the right products for you. Keep an eye out for new posts, or browse through our running collections to equip yourself with everything you need to run a marathon.