What you need for a Death March
A Death March needs more than walking gear. You also need enough hot drinks, food, water containers, lighting and charging equipment to support participants before, during and after the route. Plan supplies around the number of walkers, support staff and care-station stops, then add a 10% buffer for spills, delays and unexpected demand. The checklist below covers the equipment and consumables to collect, buy or bring.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Folding tablesqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 12
- Rest benchesqty 4
- Clothes racksqty 2
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 80
- Soup bowlsqty 40
- Platesqty 40
- Cutlery setsqty 40
- Thermos cupsqty 30
Kitchen
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Soup kettlesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Cooking and serving spoonsqty 6
- Knivesqty 4
- Pliersqty 4
- Jerry cansqty 6
- Coolersqty 6
- Ice packsqty 24
Equipment
- USB charging stationsqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Lighting
- LED work lightsqty 6
- String lightsqty 4
- Headlampsqty 8
Sports equipment
- Walking sticksqty 8
- Reflective vestsqty 12
- Bib numbersqty 25
- Athletic tapeqty 8
- Blister plastersqty 80
- Elastic bandagesqty 8
- Thermal blanketsqty 20
- First aid kitsqty 2
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Mopsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 3
- Hand soap dispensersqty 3
- Paper towel dispensersqty 3
- Toilet paper holdersqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Still water - 120 liters
- Sports drink - 40 liters
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 150 bags
- Milk - 12 liters
- Plant-based milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 1 kilogram
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 liters
- Vegetable soup - 20 liters
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Turkey breast - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 kilograms
- Strawberry jam - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Energy bars - 80 pieces
- Energy gels - 60 pieces
- Raisins - 4 kilograms
- Salty crackers - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 kilograms
- Salt - 500 grams
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Paracetamol - 2 boxes
- Vaseline - 4 tubes
- Sunscreen - 4 bottles
- Insect repellent - 2 bottles
Tips
- Prepare at least 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for every additional hour on the route. Include both water and hot drinks if walkers start early or finish late.
- Set aside 1–2 food portions per participant for each planned care-station stop, plus a 10% reserve. Portion food before departure so volunteers are not cutting or serving during the busiest arrival period.
- Pack one reflective vest for every marshal or roadside volunteer and one headlamp for each person working in low light. Test every light and charge all communication devices no later than the evening before.
- Bring one reusable cup per participant for a normal service point, but keep extra cups available for loss or contamination. Use coolers and ice packs for items that must stay cold, and label food that contains common allergens.
- Count power points before loading the equipment. Take extension cords and power strips for each coffee machine, kettle, charging station and light, and keep at least one spare cable and one LED work light for the care station.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a Death March?
- Plan 1–2 portions per participant at each care-station stop, depending on the route length and time of day. Add a 10% buffer so a late finish or larger appetite does not leave the station empty.
- How many drinks should I buy for a Death March?
- Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every following hour. Increase the amount in warm weather, and provide enough jerry cans or thermos flasks to refill the service points.
- What lighting do I need for a Death March?
- Provide one headlamp for each person walking or working in darkness, plus LED work lights for the care station and parking area. Test the lighting 24 hours before the event and bring spare batteries or charged alternatives.
- When should I prepare the Death March supplies?
- Buy shelf-stable food, drinks and disposables at least 3–5 days beforehand. Portion food, clean bottles, charge phones and pack supply crates the day before, then check the weather and route again on the morning of the march.
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