Race Packing
Checklist

The gear that goes on you, or in the belt.

• Soft flasks/Hydration EquipmentSoft flasks/Hydration EquipmentSquash it flat into your belt once it's empty — a hard handheld you're stuck with for the whole race.Remove Soft flasks/Hydration Equipment
• Heart rate monitor (and spare battery)Heart rate monitor (and spare battery)Pack the strap, not just the pod.Remove Heart rate monitor (and spare battery)
• WatchWatchRemove Watch
• Watch chargerWatch chargerThe watch is on your wrist. The charger is the bit that gets left behind.Remove Watch charger
• EarbudsEarbudsOpen-ear if you have them, so you can still hear the road and the crowd.Remove Earbuds
• Race beltRace beltTry it on a long run first — some of them compress your gut.Remove Race belt
• SunglassesSunglassesRemove Sunglasses
• CapCapRemove Cap
• Ziploc bagsZiploc bagsLiquids through security, and many more use-cases.Remove Ziploc bags
• Wet wipes/Toilet RollWet wipes/Toilet RollFor the portaloo queue, and for the back pocket during the race.Remove Wet wipes/Toilet Roll
• Foam rollerFoam rollerGet a short one for travel e.g. 30cm.Remove Foam roller
• Massage/Lacrosse ballMassage/Lacrosse ballRemove Massage/Lacrosse ball
• Massage GunMassage GunRemove Massage Gun
• Resistance bandsResistance bandsRemove Resistance bands
• Safety pinsSafety pinsUsually in the race pack. Sometimes not.Remove Safety pins

A small bag of things you hope stay unopened.

• K-tapeK-tapeRemove K-tape
• Anti-chafe balmAnti-chafe balmRemove Anti-chafe balm
• Barrier creamBarrier creamFor rashes that are already there — speeds up the recovery.Remove Barrier cream
• Antiseptic sprayAntiseptic sprayFor blisters from walking round a new city in the wrong shoes.Remove Antiseptic spray
• Band-aids/plastersBand-aids/plastersRemove Band-aids/plasters
• ParacetamolParacetamolHeadache only. I'd stay away from ibuprofen on race day.Remove Paracetamol
• Anti-inflammatory gelAnti-inflammatory gelFor a niggle in the days before, not for the race itself.Remove Anti-inflammatory gel
• Nail clippersNail clippersLong toenails and a downhill finish do not mix.Remove Nail clippers
• SunscreenSunscreenRemove Sunscreen

Count it out before you pack it. This is the bag customs will look at.

• Carb gelsCarb gelsRace plan plus spares. Work out your per-hour number and count them onto the bed.Remove Carb gels
• Caffeine gelsCaffeine gelsI space mine out rather than stacking them early.Remove Caffeine gels
• Carb drink mixCarb drink mixCarb load AND race morning — it's on the critical path twice, and it's the easiest thing to forget.Remove Carb drink mix
• Electrolyte powderElectrolyte powderRemove Electrolyte powder
• Beet shotsBeet shotsOptional 1%er, make sure to test firstRemove Beet shots
• NomioNomioOptional 1%er, make sure to test firstRemove Nomio
• CreatineCreatineIf you've trained on it, don't drop it the week of the race.Remove Creatine
• Salt tabletsSalt tabletsSkip if your gels already carry the sodium.Remove Salt tablets
• Bottle for the startBottle for the startSomething you're happy to throw away in the pen.Remove Bottle for the start

Nothing here should be new. Every piece gets a run before race day.

• Race topRace topTested on a long run — not bought at the expo. Watch for chafe and for it getting heavy with sweat.Remove Race top
• Race shorts or half tightsRace shorts or half tightsPockets matter more than you think. Check them with gels actually loaded.Remove Race shorts or half tights
• Throwaway layerThrowaway layerYou're standing in the pen for close to an hour. e.g. An old hoodie.Remove Throwaway layer
• Gloves / arm sleevesGloves / arm sleevesCheap ones you won't mind binning at 5km.Remove Gloves / arm sleeves
• Training kitTraining kitCount your travel runs, then pack.Remove Training kit
• Post-race clothesPost-race clothesSomething warm and comfortable for the walk back.Remove Post-race clothes

Two pairs is usually enough. Three if you're honest with yourself.

• Race shoesRace shoesAlready broken in with some race-pace work in them. Race week is not the time to find out.Remove Race shoes
• Race socksRace socksThe exact pair you've run long in. Proper running socks make a bigger difference than people expect.Remove Race socks
• Daily trainersDaily trainersShakeouts, taper runs, strides, and walking round the city. Pick one pair that can do it all.Remove Daily trainers
• Spare socksSpare socksRemove Spare socks
• Slides or flip flopsSlides or flip flopsRemove Slides or flip flops

Not race gear, but the stuff that ends the trip before it starts.

• Passport / IDPassport / IDSome races check ID against the entry name at bib pickup.Remove Passport / ID
• Race confirmationRace confirmationBib pickup document, on your phone and screenshotted in case there's no signal.Remove Race confirmation
• Travel insuranceTravel insuranceCheck it actually covers racing.Remove Travel insurance
• Phone chargerPhone chargerRemove Phone charger
• Plug adapterPlug adapterRemove Plug adapter
• Power bankPower bankRemove Power bank
• ToiletriesToiletriesRemove Toiletries
• Earplugs/Eye maskEarplugs/Eye maskTo get a good nights sleep before the raceRemove Earplugs/Eye mask