The Ultimate Check-list

Your marathon absolute must-haves.

Everything you need before the 42.195km.

Ok, so you trained hard for months, you endured your long runs on Sundays in the cold, the heat, the rain, the wind. You tapered and you carbs loaded properly. We can confidently say the hardest part is done and now it's (almost) only fun.

Either you will travel hundreds of miles or stay in your city, it's time to think about your race pack, the absolutely necessary items you will need on race day.

If you are travelling...

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THE GOLDEN RULE!

Pack your race outfit, trainers and nutrition in a carry-on bag. Don't take the chance to have a delayed luggage - it happened to a friend of mine in New York!

✈️ Arrive 2–3 days before the race — especially after a long flight or time-zone change. Give your body time to recover from travel.

⏰ If you travel East, play with jet lag! The time difference will be in your favour and you will naturally wake up early. No need to arrive too many days in advance.

👟 Bring nothing new for race day — shoes, socks, bra, shorts, gels and breakfast should all have been tested during training. Prepare and pack your shake out run outfit separately- no need for last minute clothes washing.

📄 Check bib-collection rules early — many major marathons require you to collect your bib personally at the expo and may ask for ID or a confirmation document.

🗓️ Visit the expo early — ideally not the afternoon before the marathon. Expos can involve a surprising amount of walking and standing.

🚇 Plan your journey to the start before you travel — know which train/bus you need, how long it takes, when transport starts and where you actually enter your start area.

📍 Save everything offline — screenshots of your start map, transport route, hotel address, bib information and meeting point. Don't depend entirely on mobile data.

🍝 Research your pre-race meals — find a couple of suitable restaurants or supermarkets near your hotel rather than improvising the night before. Restaurants, specially Italian, get fully booked very fast!

💧 Hydrate during the journey — flying, airport food, alcohol and disrupted routines can leave you more dehydrated than you realise. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle to carb load and stay hydrated during the flight.

🦵 Keep moving on long flights — get up regularly and avoid spending the entire journey sitting still.

🛍️ Do the sightseeing AFTER the marathon — 25,000 steps around Tokyo, Paris or New York the day before your race is not carb loading. 😉

🌦️ Pack for several weather scenarios — rain poncho, cap, gloves, sunscreen, anti-chafing product and a disposable layer for the start can save your race.

🔌 Bring the boring essentials in your carry-on — watch charger, phone charger, adapter, power bank and safety pins.

🍌 Organise race breakfast yourself — hotel breakfast may start too late. Buy what you need the day before.

🧴 Bring familiar products — anti-chafing cream, blister treatment, sunscreen and any toiletries you normally use before long runs.

🧳 Leave room in your suitcase — marathon expos are extremely good at turning runners into irrational shoppers.

🏅 Think about the finish before the start — decide where you'll meet friends or family, especially at huge races where phone networks can become overloaded.

🍔 Make a post-race plan — know how you're getting back to the hotel and have food, water and comfortable clothes waiting for you.

⏰ Don't book an early flight home the next morning if you can avoid it - enjoy the medal, the city and the fact that stairs have suddenly become your greatest enemy.

What to carry on race day.

Race nutrition - one gel every 30-40min.
Soft water bottle or cup if the race doesn't provide for hydration.
Sunglasses / headband / cap.
Headset if needed (cannot live without mine).
Your bib already attached with safety pins.
Take away breakfast or snacks if long waiting time at the start line.
Water or electrolytes for the waiting time.
Race transparent bag, with your number already sticked on it - in case your need to check in your personal belongings to collect right after the race.
Warm outfit to wait at the start line (will be collected just before the race by charity organisations).
Some tissues (super useful for pee, poo, and other inconveniences).
A disposable blanket or piece of carton is actually very useful when you arrive at the start early and there is nowhere to sit but the wet floor.

The Ultimate Check-list

Your marathon absolute must-haves.

Everything you need before the 42.195km.

If you are travelling...

What to carry on race day.

​

Race nutrition - one gel every 30-40min.

Soft water bottle or cup if the race doesn't provide for hydration.​

Sunglasses / headband / cap.

Headset if needed (cannot live without mine).

Your bib already attached with safety pins.

Take away breakfast or snacks if long waiting time at the start line.

Water or electrolytes for the waiting time.

Race transparent bag, with your number already sticked on it - in case your need to check in your personal belongings to collect right after the race.

Warm outfit to wait at the start line (will be collected just before the race by charity organisations).

Some tissues (super useful for pee, poo, and other inconveniences).

A disposable blanket or piece of carton is actually very useful when you arrive at the start early and there is nowhere to sit but the wet floor.

Soft water bottle or cup if the race doesn't provide for hydration.