Marathon Race Day Checklist

The Race Day Checklist — don’t forget essentials for your marathon

To help you pack your bag, make sure you’re ready on race morning, and keep a few things in mind during the race itself: here’s the complete checklist for race day.

BEFORE THE RACE

Getting registered

Because not receiving your race bib would be the lamest excuse in the history of excuses. Not starting is, after all, the worst possible strategy for finishing. Though admittedly an effective way to avoid the Wall.

So make sure you have:

• Race registration documents
• Medical certificate (if required)
• Passport / ID

Getting dressed

Normally not a major challenge — you manage it every morning without too much drama. But race morning is never quite like any other morning. And if you’ve left something out of your bag, it can add unnecessary stress to an already stressful day.

• Running shoes: Well, yes. Seems obvious — which is exactly why it’s the thing you’re most likely to forget. Straight into the bag.
• Socks
• Shorts: Yes, otherwise you’re running without them, and while that might keep people from overtaking you out of morbid curiosity, it’s a bold strategy for podium ambitions.
• T-shirt (+ sports bra): Short or long sleeve depending on the weather — which you’ll check every 10 minutes for the entire week before the race anyway. On the sports bra: I’m reliably informed it’s more comfortable, and I have absolutely no trouble believing that. As they say: “no uterus, no opinion.”
• Cap / buff: Or whatever works if you’re worried about being too cold or too hot.
• Sunglasses: Optionally, if you’re used to wearing them. Remember the golden rule: never do anything for the first time on race day (except run a marathon, if it’s your first one — and speaking of which, here’s the almost-true story of the very first marathon in history.)
• Contact lenses / glasses: If you’d rather not spend 42km feeling your glasses slide down your nose — and if you’d like to actually see the scenery. Skip this one if your vision is perfect.
• Race bib (+ safety pins or race belt): The piece of paper with your number that goes on your front — not your back, despite what the name might suggest. You’ll need 4 safety pins (bring 4 spares in case you lose the ones provided). Don’t spend 10 minutes trying to get it perfectly straight — you won’t, so don’t stress about it. => do you remember your first ever race bib and feelings ?

Getting kitted out

Because in the early morning hours, you’ll be getting yourself sorted in the calm of your hotel room, with a small knot in your stomach. This list is here to free up a bit of headspace.

• Running belt / waist pack: For your mid-race fuel. Also handy for your phone — you’ll have enough to deal with without carrying it in your hand. Personally I ran with a waist pack for years and found it very practical. More recently I’ve discovered a great pair of shorts with a built-in waist pocket — super stable and comfortable: Kiprun shorts from Decathlon.
• Watch (and charging cable): To follow your race plan, and optionally your heart rate. But don’t stare at it constantly. And don’t forget the cable and charger.
• Phone / music player: With charger, obviously. Only relevant if you like music, podcasts (my favourite running podcasts), or if you plan on calling someone mid-race (I swear I’ve seen it happen more than once at a marathon — yes, really).
• Earphones: Especially if you like music — because the runners around you don’t necessarily share your taste, and some prefer to enjoy the atmosphere, the crowd, or the silence.
• Sun cream: Except for night races or rainy marathons, obviously.
• Nipple tape: For nipples. Two of them, ideally. Even if it’s never happened to you, use it preventively — especially on a marathon. Bring a spare strip too.

Waiting around

Because after running, waiting is what you do most. Between the fatigue, the nerves, the early morning chill — possibly outright cold — it’s worth being properly prepared.

• Warm-up layer: What I call the jumper you wear on the way to the start and while you wait around. So you don’t freeze while you’re already nervous enough. It’s a layer you can abandon at the start line — don’t worry, most organisers collect them and redistribute them to people in need.
• Plastic layer: Over the warm-up layer, to act as a windbreaker and keep in a bit of warmth. Personally I make vests out of dry-cleaning bags — lightweight and practical. If you use an opaque one (like a bin bag), it can also double as a makeshift privacy screen in the starting pen when nature calls.
• Pre-race drink: Yes, staying hydrated beforehand is important. But stop drinking about 30 minutes before the start — otherwise you’ll arrive at the line with a sloshing stomach. And starting bloated, or needing to stop at every portaloo, is never ideal.

DURING THE RACE

Running

Because that is, after all, why you’re here. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Legs (2) — for the first third: km 1–14 of the marathon
• Head — for the second third: km 14–28
• Heart and Soul — for the final third: km 28–42
• Tears — for the finish line: the last 195 metres

Holding on

Because nothing is ever guaranteed, and in every race there comes a moment when you need to dig a little deeper.

• Fuel for the body: Whatever works for you. Bear in mind that fondue is highly impractical to carry. Gels and energy chews are more suitable. But above all, stick to things you know, have tested, and your body is used to. Remember the golden rule: never do anything for the first time on race day. (Except run a marathon, if it’s your first.)
• Lucky charm for the mind: If you’re superstitious, a horseshoe, a lucky pair of pants, or a dolphin (apparently they bring good luck) can all play their part.
• Supporter timing plan: For yourself, your race pace plan. And for any supporters you have (who’ve been putting up with your marathon obsession for months, and are finally about to be free). Also think about having a signal so you can spot them — it’s much easier than asking them to find you among thousands of runners. And give them something distinctive to hold so they can signal back, otherwise they’ll spend the whole day waiting and missing you (suggest something specific — I don’t know, like a giant cardboard version of your face on a stick).
• Anything else that’s personal to you — add your own specific items here. We all have them.

AND WITH THAT, EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL

If you haven’t forgotten anything on this list, you shouldn’t have forgotten anything. Unless I’ve forgotten to put something on the list…

Good luck — and don’t forget to enjoy the scenery.

__________________

What is sightrunning?

(PS1: the whole true truly truthful authentic story of the real origins of the marathon) (PS2: and while you’re at it, a quick checklist of signs there is only 1 week left before the race…) (PS3 : afraid of the marathon wall ?)