Roads · Trails · Muddy start lines

Race-day packing gets easier when you think about when you’ll need each item. Some things stay with you, some go into bag drop and some only become important when the running is over.

Start with the event information and your travel plans. Then pack so that the next thing you need is easy to find. A dry top buried beneath everything else is less helpful when you’re ready to change and head home.

Before you leave

The race-day tips guide follows the day from home to the finish. For the bag itself, choose the half-marathon packing guide or the more focused marathon bag-drop guide.

What stays with you?

Keep the kit you need during the run accessible after you’ve handed your bag over. Work out how you’ll carry gels and wrappers, attach your number and carry a race cup if your event needs one.

Staying away for the weekend

Travel adds a few extra jobs: charging kit, finding things in an unfamiliar room and bringing damp clothes home. The race-weekend guide helps you keep the travel bag and race kit working together.