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Marathon Packing List

This is the list Morten is using for his races. You don’t need all of the items below on all races but it hopefully gives you a good starting point.

PRE-RACE

  • Race confirmation
  • Directions to race and number pick-up
  • Vaseline or other anti-chafing lotion
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat or visor
  • Safety pins
  • Water bottle/hot beverage travel mug for the drive
  • Toilet paper
  • Mask (COVID mandate)
  • COVID Vaccination Records (if required)

RACE

Gear

  • Race Shoes
  • Race Socks
  • Singlet/short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt for race, as weather dictates
  • Shorts/tights for race, as weather dictates
  • Race belt
  • A long sleeve shirt
  • Jacket
  • Hat
  • Gloves
  • Watch or GPS / heart monitor
  • Phone (apple watch)
  • Sunglasses
  • Gels or sports drink (if you’ve been training with them)
  • Band-Aids or NipGuards if necessary
  • MP3 player/Spotify playlist downloaded & Headset
  • Flashlight (for J&J / tunnel marathon)

Medical/First Aid

  • Pain relief meds
  • Lanacane anti-chafe / body glide
  • Sunscreen
  • Baby wipes (as one runner put it “A clean ___ is a happy ___”)
  • Blister kit: needle, bandaids, mole skin
  • Sports tape
  • Muscle relief gel
  • ID, Insurance card, money

Fuel/Nutrition

  • Electrolytes / Salt pills
  • Bananas
  • Sports beans, gels, energy bars and Gatorade (as backups) 
  • Treats: chips, chocolate covered raisins, pretzels, banana bread, granola bars, chocolate milk, juice boxes
  • Lots of water

POST-RACE

  • Spare pair(s) of shoes
  • Extra shirts
  • Extra socks (including compression sleeves or socks to wear in the car)
  • Extra shorts/pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Food if you won’t be fed at the post-race festivities
  • Towel