In the days before your half or full marathon, you’re most likely going to be nervous and anxious. Getting all your racing clothes, gear, food and other supplies ready will help you manage your anxiety and help you avoid forgetting something you need for race day. Packing early will also help you avoid rushing around and stressing out at the last minute.
Follow this half or full marathon packing list to make sure you have everything you need for a successful race.
Essential items (in your carry-on bag if you’re flying)
- Running shoes
- Running socks
- Most likely running outfit (shorts, shirt, socks)
- Prescription medications
- Medical insurance card
- Identification (passport if the marathon is out of the country)
- Travel itinerary with confirmations and directions
- Phone/charger
Possible Clothing Items
Check the weather prediction to see what kind of conditions to expect. But don’t assume that the weather forecast is correct — you should be prepared for weather that’s 20 degrees F warmer and 20 degrees F colder than the predicted temperature.
Remember that you should be running in clothes that you’ve already tried out during training – nothing new on race day!
- Singlet
- Short-sleeve running shirt
- Shorts
- Long-sleeve running shirt
- Running socks
- Arm warmers or knee socks (with the toes cut off) to wear on your arms when you’re waiting at the start
- Sports bra
- Gloves (either running gloves if it’s going to be cold or cheap, throwaway gloves if you think you’ll only wear them at the start)
- Running hat or visor
- Second pair of running shoes (for walking around before the marathon)
- Throw-away long-sleeve T-shirt and sweatpants (to warm up at the start of the race and then throw away once you warm up)
- Tights or other running pants
- Warm clothes to put on at the race finish
- Recovery sandals
- Gear check bag to put your after-race stuff in (if the race doesn’t supply one)
Other Useful Items
- Body Glide or Vaseline to prevent chafing
- Big plastic garbage bag (to sit on while you’re waiting or wear if it’s raining at the start). Some races only allow clear plastic garbage bags, so be sure to check the race website to see what’s allowed.
- Toilet paper (in case they run out at the Port-a-Johns at the start)
- Sunglasses
- Safety pins for your race bib
- Running watch or other timing device
- Any paperwork required for race check-in
- Race number if it was mailed to you prior to the race
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle or bottle holder (if you plan on using one)
- Fanny pack or other running belt (to hold race fuels)
- Armband or other holder for your phone (if you plan to run with it)
- Phone and headphones (if you plan to run with them)
- Massage tool such as Stick or foam roller
- Band-aids
Possible Food Items
You’ll want to pack foods that you’ve already experimented with before and during your training runs. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to buy specific energy gels, bars, or other food at the race expo. It’s better to buy them ahead of time and pack them, so you’re guaranteed to have the foods that you like and you’ve trained with in the past.
- Bottled water
- Race fuels (energy bars, gels, sport beans, or other foods that you’ve been training with)
- Snacks/breakfast foods (e.g., bagels, pretzels, muffins, fruit, etc.)
- Sports drinks
- Salt packets or tablets (if you used them in training)
Go through this marathon packing list and check off items as you put them in your bag/suitcase so you don’t forget anything!
