Marathon Checklist

Marathon Training Books

Running in your first marathon can be both exciting and intimidating. Many first time runners are eager and anxious to participate in their first marathon but they are nervous about bringing along too much equipment or not carrying enough equipment with them. This article will provide a checklist of all of the items a runner should plan on bringing with him on the day of the marathon. Additionally, the runner may want to plan on using one of his longer training runs to wear the same clothes and carry the same equipment he plans to have with him on the day of the marathon as a sort of rehearsal for the race. Runners should be sure to bring the following to a marathon:

Running shoes
Comfortable socks
Lightweight shorts or pants depending on the weather on race day
Lightweight and breathable top depending on the weather on race day
Hat
Sunglasses
Additional clothing if you plan to leave extra clothing at the finish line
Watch with the ability to take splits
Heart rate monitor if you plan to use one during the race
Identification
Any paperwork required for check-in
Race number if it was mailed to your prior to the race or if you picked it up at a pre-race check-in event
Race belt if you intend to use one in place of safety pins to secure your race number
Timing chip if it was mailed to your prior to the race or if you picked it up at a pre-race check-in event
Sunscreen
Hydration pack and liquid to fill the hydration pack
Nutrition bars or energy gels if you plan to carry your own on the course