Race Weekend Essentials: A Walker’s Packing List

For my most recent half marathon, I did something that I’d never done before: I traveled to a race. Normally, when I’m preparing for a race, I have the time to plan everything. I set everything out in my bathroom the night before. I sleep in my own bed and wake to my old-school alarm clock. I head to the bathroom and have all of my stuff (including my protein bar breakfast) handy. I throw my race bag in my car and head to the starting line. But when the race it out of town, everything is different.

By the time I left for race weekend on Friday afternoon, my poor anxiety-ridden mind had agonized over every last detail, packing tons of extra stuff, just in case I needed a backup. I mean, I always change my mind about things the night before a race. And it would be just my luck for my sports bra to fall apart as I’m getting dressed in an unfamiliar bathroom. So I ended up doing the duffle-bag version of sitting on a suitcase to get it closed before I left. I had SO MUCH STUFF.

While my sometimes debilitating anxiety can be a nuisance for me, it can work to your advantage—because it means that, in the course of the week, I had to put together the Ultimate Race Weekend Packing Checklist. And now I can share all of the details with you—so you don’t have to spend the week panicking, like I did.

CLOTHING:

Sports Bra (if you need such a thing)
Go with something comfortable—something that won’t end up chafing your armpits during the race.

Race Shirt
There’s an ongoing debate about whether you should wear the shirt that came in your race packet to the actual race. A lot of people wear them, while others say it’s bad luck to wear the shirt before you finish the race. I’ve done both—but I usually choose something from my closet. Go with something moisture-wicking and comfortable. And keep an eye on the weather forecast, so you’ll know whether to go with short sleeves, long sleeves, or even add in some extra layers.

Leggings
Again, depending on the weather, you might go with anything from shorts to fleece leggings. I tend to go with either full-length or capri leggings for races (almost always CVGs)—because I’ve had enough issues with shorts and chafing. Just stick with something you know will be comfortable.

Socks
I have all kinds of good socks for walking, but I have one pair of Balegas that are my go-to race socks. They’re soft and padded and comfortable—and unless it’s really cold outside, I stick with those. Again, go with something that you know will be comfortable.

Shoes
Race day shoes are a big deal. Ideally, you will have trained in your shoes for a while, so you know that they’re broken in and ready to take on the challenge with you. It’s always said that you shouldn’t switch your gear on race day—and that especially applies to your shoes. Pack those old faithfuls!

Hair Accessories
If you walk with your hair in a ponytail…or pulled back in a headband…or both, be sure to pack hair ties and headbands. Bring extras, too—and pack extra hair ties in your pack—because you’ll want backups, in case something snaps at the worst possible time.

Sunnies and/or Hat
Whether you prefer to walk in sunnies or a hat, don’t forget to pack one along for the race! I always have a hard time deciding which of my Goodrs to wear, so I packed multiple pairs and made the final decision on the night before race day.

In Case of Cool Morning Temperatures
Keep an eye on the weather, and plan for those cooler pre-sunrise temperatures. When I did my first half marathon—and the weather forecast was for cold temperatures—a friend recommended wearing sleeves that I could take off when I got warm. Since my hands tend to be the first things to get cold, I often pack a pair of thin dollar-store gloves, too. Just keep in mind that you’ll probably remove these things at some point, so you’ll want to know where you’ll stash them once you take them off.

Another cool-morning necessity: the throwaway sweatshirt. Before the race, stop by your local Goodwill and pick up something off the clearance rack. It doesn’t have to be pretty—just comfy. You can throw it on when you’re heading out the door, and it’ll keep you warm while you wander around the starting corral. When the race begins, you can take it off and toss it aside. Most longer race courses are lined with throwaway layers, which volunteers often collect and re-donate. My first half marathon even had bins where you could throw them—so they wouldn’t end up on the side of the road.

RACE DAY TOILETRIES:

Deodorant
Obviously. Don’t forget to pack your deodorant. You might want to pack some in your gear bag, too, so you can reapply after the race.

Body Glide
Oh, the times I’ve forgotten the Body Glide, only to end up suffering from chafing… On race days, I always wear comfy gear, but you just can’t predict chafing—so I make sure to cover those common chafing areas with Body Glide. A whole lot of Body Glide.

Sunscreen
No matter what the weather may be, when you’re outside for a race, there’s a good chance you’ll be in the sun at some point—and sunburn is one added complication that you just don’t need.

Lip Balm
You can never have too much lip balm. When a booth is handing it out at an expo or another event, I always grab more. I make sure to apply plenty of lip balm (preferably the SPF kind) before a race. I also keep a tube handy—inside one of my pockets—so I can reapply.

OTHER RACE ESSENTIALS:

Hydration Pack/Vest
On race days, I skip the handheld water bottles and go with something hands-free instead. Usually, I go with a waist pack, but I prefer a vest for long races—because they have more pockets for holding the things you need to keep walking for several hours.

Water Bottles
Most races feature a number of hydration stations, offering water and/or Gatorade. I’ll often grab a Gatorade as I pass (and there’s a running joke about me spilling Gatorade down myself at nearly every race)—but I like to have extra water with me, too, in case I need a sip between stations.

Snacks
I don’t bother packing snacks for shorter races. The banana at the finish line is good enough. But for longer races, I want something handy for an extra energy boost. Everyone has their own preferences here, but I pack a protein bar and some trail mix. Just be sure to test your options during your training to prevent tummy troubles on race day.

In addition to race snacks, make sure you’ve got the food you’ll need for before the race. I usually have a protein shake or a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and since it’s important to stick with what works, you’ll want to have all of your breakfast essentials packed, too.

Phone Charger
During my first half marathon, I was a few miles in when I realized that, because I was taking pictures, running apps, and listening to music, my phone’s battery was draining faster than expected. Now I pack a small power bank in my vest. Whether it’s in your vest or your race day bag, it’s good to have extra power handy if you need it—because you don’t want to miss out on those finish line selfies! Also…when you’re traveling to an out-of-town race, don’t forget those extra charging cables for your phone/watch/other devices!

Headphones
Different races have different rules for headphone use on the course—but if the race allows them, toss some in your pack. Even if you don’t plan to use them, you might need a little extra musical boost in those final miles.

Tissues
Sure, you can use your sleeve—but if you’d rather not, just fold up a tissue or two (or a whole travel pack, if needed) and put them in your pack.

Bib Clips
While you’ll get the usual four-pack of safety pins in your race packet, I prefer clips, so I don’t end up with holes in my favorite race shirts. If you’ve got ‘em, pack ‘em!

Now that you’ve checked everything off your list, you’re race ready! Enjoy your day, take lots of pictures, and be sure to share them with us!