Every runner has done it. Unpacking the night before a big race, in a hotel far from home, you discover that you’ve forgotten something. Maybe you left behind socks, gels, safety pins, or something that can be replaced. But maybe you forgot those shoes you’ve been training in all season. Or that lucky pair of shorts. Avoid the pitfalls of the forgetful runner by planning ahead.
Whether you’re running a local race, road-tripping a couple hours away, or travelling hundreds of kilometres to an exotic locale, our runner’s race checklists have you covered.
LOCAL RACE
Think of this as your neighborhood 5K, where you’ll walk out the door wearing most of your gear.
Pre-race
- Race confirmation
- Vaseline or other anti-chafing lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Hat or visor
- Safety pins
- Water bottle
Race
- Watch or GPS
- Sunglasses
- Gels or sports drink if you’ve been training with them
- Band-Aids or NipGuards if necessary
Post-race
- Extra socks
- Extra shirt and shorts/pants
- Waterproof jacket
- Food if you won’t be fed at the post-race festivities
- Towel
A BIT OF A DRIVE
For this race, you’ll be in the car for an hour or longer, but won’t be staying overnight. You may not be wearing your race gear for the trip.
Pre-race
- Race confirmation
- Directions to race and number pick-up
- Vaseline or other anti-chafing lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Hat or visor
- Safety pins
- Water bottle/hot beverage travel mug for the drive
- Toilet paper
Race
- Watch or GPS
- Shoes, orthotics if necessary
- Singlet/short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt for race, as weather dictates
- Sports bra
- Shorts/tights for race, as weather dictates
- Socks
- Sunglasses
- Gels or sports drink if you’ve been training with them
- Band-Aids or NipGuards if necessary
Post-race
- Extra socks (including compression sleeves or socks to wear in the car)
- Extra shirt and shorts/pants
- Waterproof jacket
- Food if you won’t be fed at the post-race festivities
- Towel
THE BIG ONE
You’ve trained several months for this race, which may be a half or full marathon in an unfamiliar city. Prepare for any weather, regardless of what the forecasters predict.
Pre-race
- Race confirmation
- Hotel confirmation
- Plane Tickets
- Headphones for the flight
- Course Map
- Directions to race and number pick-up
- Vaseline or other anti-chafing lotion
- Hat or visor
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Hat or visor
- Safety pins
- Water bottle for the flight
- Toilet paper
- Healthy, carbohydrate-laden snacks for the flight
- Area maps
- Area guide for restaurants and events
- Camera and film
- Extra cash, travellers cheques, or credit cards
- ID (and passport if necessary)
- Street clothes and shoes
- Toiletries including a travel-sized first aid kit
- Ear plugs
- Travel alarm
- Toilet paper
- Food you usually eat for breakfast before running
Race
- Watch or GPS
- Shoes, orthotics if necessary
- Singlet/short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt for race, as weather dictates
- Sports bra
- Shorts/tights for race, as weather dictates
- Old jumper or t-shirt you can toss after a few kilometres
- Socks
- Gels or sports drink if you’ve been training with them
- Energy bars if you’ll be standing around for several hours before the race
- Sunglasses
- Band-Aids or NipGuards if necessary
- Bum bag if you run with one
Post-race
- Extra socks (including compression sleeves or socks to wear on the plane)
- Extra shirt and shorts/pants
- Waterproof jacket
- Food if you won’t be fed at the post-race festivities
- Towel
- Ibuprofen
- Plastic bag for ice, dirty clothes, etc.
