Pre-Race Gear Checklist

Use this as a packing menu: mark each item packed, still needed or N/A. Items depend on the event, weather and your practiced plan; they are not all required. Favor familiar equipment, while making necessary safety adjustments when conditions change. Use the race-week checklist for pickup hours, transport, bag-check and corral deadlines.

Race Information

Detail	Info
Race Name
Date
Distance
Start Time
Bib Number
Corral/Wave
Weather Forecast

The Night Before

Lay Out All Race Gear

Running Outfit

☐ Race singlet/shirt (pinned bib if needed)
☐ Shorts/tights
☐ Sports bra, if worn
☐ Underwear (if wearing)
☐ Socks (tested pair)
☐ Familiar, suitable racing shoes

Accessories

☐ Watch (charged!)
☐ Hat/visor
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Gloves (if cold)
☐ Arm sleeves (if cold)
☐ Sunscreen (if sunny)

Race Bib & Timing

☐ Bib (attached to shirt/shorts)
☐ Safety pins (4-6)
☐ Timing chip (if separate)
☐ Race belt (optional)

Fuel & Hydration

☐ Gels/chews for during race
☐ Pre-race snack/breakfast items
☐ Water bottle for morning
☐ Sports drink (if using)
☐ Any drink product already included in your practiced plan; no automatic supplement addition

Race Documents

☐ Race confirmation email/printout
☐ Identification required by the organizer
☐ Emergency contact info
☐ Health/insurance information if relevant; keep sensitive details private
☐ Cash (for emergencies)
☐ Phone (charged)

Night Before Tasks

☐ Check weather forecast again
☐ Review race course map
☐ Set multiple alarms
☐ Prepare breakfast (if possible)
☐ Pin bib to shirt
☐ Charge watch and phone
☐ Leave room for your usual wind-down and sleep routine

Race Morning Bag

Getting to the Start

☐ Appropriate pre-start layers; discard only where the event permits
☐ Jacket (to keep warm)
☐ Clothes to collect afterward, if bag check is available
☐ Comfortable footwear for before/after, if useful
☐ Organizer-approved bag, if using bag check

Nutrition

☐ Pre-race breakfast
☐ Water
☐ Coffee/caffeine only if already appropriate to your practiced routine
☐ Pre-start fuel only if part of your practiced plan; record your timing

Personal Care

☐ Anti-chafe balm (Body Glide, Vaseline)
☐ Toilet paper/tissues (lines can be long)
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Hair ties/headband
☐ Deodorant

Race Fuel to Carry

☐ Practiced fuel product / amount / number: [enter or N/A]
☐ Race belt/shorts pockets for fuel
☐ Check carrying capacity and station alternatives against your established plan

During Race Checklist

Start Line

☐ Allow time for toilet queues if needed
☐ Applied anti-chafe
☐ Watch ready, if using; do not miss event deadlines waiting for GPS
☐ Fuel is accessible
☐ Layers adjusted to conditions; disposal follows event rules
☐ Familiar preparation appropriate to your event and current conditions
☐ Starting corral located
☐ Race strategy reviewed

During Race

☐ Start watch at start line
☐ Compare elapsed time with your planned cumulative checkpoints and conditions
☐ Fuel at planned intervals
☐ Use available fluid opportunities according to your needs and practiced plan
☐ Adjust effort based on conditions

Post-Race Bag

Leave in gear check or with spectator

Recovery Items

☐ Dry clothes (full outfit)
☐ Warm jacket/hoodie
☐ Comfortable shoes
☐ Towel (small)
☐ Hat (if cold)

Nutrition

☐ Familiar post-race food or drink, if useful
☐ Snacks (banana, bars, etc.)
☐ Water bottle
☐ Preferred snack, if useful; no compulsory salt supplement

Personal

☐ Phone
☐ Wallet
☐ Car keys
☐ Toiletries (if showering)

Weather-Specific Gear

Choose for the actual forecast, exposure, duration and event advice; these are optional packing choices, not temperature thresholds that certify safety. Check NHS heat-illness guidance and event alerts when heat is a concern. Equipment does not override a need to change or stop the race.

Warm or Hot Conditions

☐ Light-colored clothing
☐ Extra sunscreen
☐ Suitable familiar sun protection, such as a hat or visor
☐ Familiar cooling item if useful and permitted
☐ Check water access and conditions against your plan; extra drinking does not make racing safe
☐ Arm coolers (optional)
☐ Review event heat alerts and options to change or stop the race
☐ Access to shade/cooling after finishing

Cold or Windy Conditions

☐ Long sleeves/tights
☐ Suitable gloves; check rules before discarding anything
☐ Hat/ear cover
☐ Arm warmers (can remove)
☐ Hand warmers
☐ Extra warm layers for before/after
☐ Appropriate protection for exposed skin; balm is not a substitute for adequate clothing

Rainy Weather

☐ Pre-start rain protection, with a permitted storage/disposal plan
☐ Hat with brim (keeps rain from eyes)
☐ Light rain jacket (optional)
☐ Extra socks (post-race)
☐ Plastic bags (for phone, electronics)
☐ Familiar anti-chafe product if used
☐ Dry gear bag

Match Packing to Duration and Access

A distance label alone does not specify how long you will be out, what stations provide or what you tolerate. There is no universal gel count for every 10K, half-marathon or marathon runner. The AIS sports-drink guidance distinguishes exercise durations and recommends practicing a plan that fits fueling, fluid needs and gut comfort.

☐ Expected duration and likely conditions: [enter]
☐ Familiar fuel/drink products and amounts from your practiced plan: [enter or N/A]
☐ Station locations, offered products and carrying permissions checked
☐ Fuel pockets/belt/bottle capacity tested with the items you intend to carry
☐ Alternative if a station/product is unavailable: [enter]
☐ Clothing and collection arrangements for after the finish

Neither race distance nor hot weather automatically calls for salt tablets. A packing list cannot establish an individual fluid or electrolyte prescription. For planning context, see the measured sweat-rate guide; for execution, see the race-day decision guide.

Travel Racing Additions

If Flying

☐ Running shoes in carry-on
☐ Race outfit in carry-on
☐ Check current authority/carrier rules for gels, liquids and medicines for your route
☐ Directions to start/finish
☐ Hotel confirmation

If Driving

☐ Pre-mapped directions
☐ Parking plan
☐ Early departure time (allow extra)

General Travel

☐ Space for any preparation already in your training plan; a shakeout is optional
☐ Familiar meal options identified
☐ Extra day for packet pickup (if possible)
☐ Spectator meeting spot planned

Emergency Contacts

Contact	Phone
Emergency contact
Race emergency line
Hotel (if traveling)

Private medical information you choose to carry / location: [enter or N/A]

Final Packing and Access Checks

Two Days Before

☐ Check race-day forecast
☐ Pick up packet (if available)
☐ Plan race-morning logistics
☐ Follow your existing training plan; no extra run required by this checklist

Night Before

☐ Lay out all gear
☐ Attach bib
☐ Charge devices
☐ Pack race bag
☐ Set alarms
☐ Familiar dinner suited to your routine
☐ Review race plan
☐ Normal wind-down and sleep opportunity

Race Morning

☐ Eat planned breakfast
☐ Use bathroom at home
☐ Apply anti-chafe
☐ Leave early (buffer time)
☐ Arrive with buffers for the actual transport, security, bag and corral deadlines
☐ Use bathroom at venue
☐ Use appropriate familiar preparation; adjust for delays or conditions
☐ Final mental prep
☐ Proceed only if appropriate; event instructions and symptoms take priority

Personal Race Day Notes

Things I always forget:

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My race morning routine:

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Post-race must-haves:

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