In the days before your marathon, you're most likely going to be
nervous and anxious, so you start packing early, especially if the marathon is out of town. Follow this marathon packing list to make sure you don't forget something important, like your running shoes.
Essential items (in your carry-on bag if you're flying)
Running shoes
Running socks
Prescription medications
Medical insurance card
Identification (passport if the marathon is out of the country)
Travel itinerary with confirmations and directions
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.
- Singlet
- Short-sleeve running shirt
- Shorts
- Long-sleeve running shirt
- Arm warmers
- Sports bra
- Gloves
- Hat
- Visor
- Second pair of Running shoes (for walking around before the marathon)
- Throwaway long-sleeve t-shirt and sweatpants (to warm up at the start of the race and then throwaway once you warm up)
- Tights or other running pants
- Warm clothes to put on at the race finish
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)
- Toilet paper (in case they run out at the Port-a-Johns at the start)
- Sunglasses
- Safety pins for your race bib
- Watch with the ability to take splits
- Any paperwork required for race check-in
- Race number if it was mailed to your prior to the race
- Timing chip if it was mailed to your prior to the race
- Sunscreen
- Hydration bottle holder (if you plan on using one)
- Fanny pack or other running belt (to hold race fuels)
- 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 (especially if you're flying)
- 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)
