What you need for a dike walk

A dike walk needs more than drinks and route markers. You will need supplies for registration, participant numbers, checkpoints, volunteers, traffic control and a weather-ready start area. Plan drinks by participant and volunteer numbers, then add extra water for warm conditions. The shopping list below covers the practical items to buy, borrow or bring, from water containers and waste bins to tables, signs, barriers and event equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 8
Waste binsqty 12
Luggage racksqty 6
Coat racksqty 4
Parasol basesqty 6
Clothes racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Start arch
Route signsqty 35
Directional signsqty 45
Kilometer markersqty 10
Bib numbersqty 250
Race bib strapsqty 250
Time-tracking chipsqty 250
Finisher medalsqty 250
Ribbonsqty 12
Traffic conesqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 10
Crowd barriersqty 30
Water jerry cansqty 12
Water tapsqty 12
Water bottle cratesqty 12
Prize trophiesqty 12
Garment hooksqty 60
Clipboardsqty 12
Route mapsqty 30
Plastic binsqty 20
Wristbandsqty 300

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Printer
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 8
Flashlightsqty 8
Coolersqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Scalesqty 2
Hand tally countersqty 4
Label printersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 300 bottles
- Sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 6 packs
- Aged cheese - 4 packs
- Ham - 4 packs
- Chicken breast - 4 packs
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 300 pieces
- Bananas - 250 pieces
- Apples - 150 pieces
- Oranges - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 10 kilos
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Raisins - 4 bags
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 6 tubs
- Vegetarian spreads - 6 tubs
- Nut mix - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Sugar waffles - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 12 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 24 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Disposable napkins - 500 pieces
- Carry bags - 100 pieces
- Labels - 4 rolls
- Waterproof markers - 12 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Staples - 4 boxes
- Printer paper - 3 packs
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Rain ponchos - 50 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Cold packsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100
Safety vestsqty 25
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Traffic whistlesqty 20

Lighting

Work lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 12
Light Stripsqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Mop setsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 6
Laundry basketsqty 8

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per participant for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Include extra water for volunteers working at checkpoints and the finish.
Prepare one bib number and one bib strap per participant, plus at least 5% spare numbers for late changes, damaged items or registration errors. Keep the participant list and printer at the registration table.
For each checkpoint, pack route signs, directional signs, kilometer markers, barrier tape and a waste bin. Check every marked point on the route before event day so missing signs can be replaced in time.
Bring one water jerry can or filled water container per checkpoint as a starting point, and use water bottle crates to move supplies. Arrange the water taps before participants arrive rather than relying on last-minute access.
Provide at least one covered table for registration and one for drinks, with extension cords, charged tablets or laptop equipment and a printer ready. Put weather protection in place before the forecasted start time, not after the first shower.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a dike walk?: Allow roughly 0.5 to 1 litre of water per participant for the event, depending on distance and weather. Add at least 10% extra and separate supplies for volunteers at the start, checkpoints and finish.
How many spare bib numbers should I buy?: Buy one bib number and strap for every registered participant, plus at least 5% spare sets. For 100 participants, that means 105 bib numbers and 105 straps.
What should I bring for route marking?: Bring directional signs, kilometer markers, route signs, traffic cones, barrier tape and crowd barriers where needed. Check the full route at least 24 hours before the walk and pack replacements for any sign that could be moved or damaged.
When should I prepare drinks and weather protection?: Chill drinks and assemble starter packs the day before when possible. Set up tents, tables and other weather protection at least 60 minutes before registration opens, leaving time to secure signs and connect equipment safely.

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