What you need for an endurance race

An endurance race needs more than race numbers and a marked route. You will need supplies for horses at checkpoints, equipment for timekeepers, clear signage, refreshments and a reliable finish area. Buy disposable and consumable items early, then chill drinks and assemble starter packs close to race day. Use the plan below to check quantities against your number of riders, checkpoints, support staff and horses before you shop.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 30
High tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Mobile sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 3
Printersqty 2
Power banksqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 100
Race numbersqty 100
Route arrowsqty 80
Route signsqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 12
Conesqty 40
Traffic conesqty 20
Stopwatchesqty 8
Hand tally countersqty 4
Horse water troughsqty 12
Water tanksqty 6
Bucketsqty 20
Spons tubsqty 8
Hay racksqty 6
White ribbonsqty 10
Prize ribbonsqty 12
Medalsqty 12
Cupsqty 6
Measuring tapesqty 2
Flashlightsqty 10
Reflective vestsqty 20
Binocularsqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Route mapsqty 120
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 50
Stamp setsqty 8
Competition formsqty 150
First aid kitsqty 3
Cold packsqty 20
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Bandagesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Hand spray bottlesqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Rubber glovesqty 12

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cream - 6 packs
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Oat bars - 120 pieces
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Bananas - 100 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegetarian deli slices - 2 kilo
- Vegan sandwich spread - 2 kilos
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Horse hay - 100 kilo
- Horse roots - 30 kilos
- Horse apples - 20 kilos
- Horse electrolytes - 10 kilos
- Drinking water - 500 liters
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Pedal bin liners - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 10 boxes
- Adhesive bandages - 6 boxes
- Wound disinfectant - 6 bottles
- Medical tape - 12 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 10 boxes
- Face masks - 100 pieces
- Trash bag ties - 2 packs

Tips

Allow at least one bib number and one race number per participant, plus around 10% extra for replacements, late changes or damaged numbers.
Plan water at every horse support point: provide a trough or buckets, and size your water tanks for the number of horses expected at each checkpoint rather than for the full field at once.
Count route arrows, signs, cones and barrier tape by checkpoint and junction. Keep a separate reserve of roughly 10% so a missing or damaged marker does not leave the route unclear.
Give each timekeeper a stopwatch and prepare a backup power bank for every laptop or other battery-dependent device used at registration, checkpoints or the finish.
Buy drinks and food only after registrations and dietary requirements are checked. Chill drinks the day before, and pack starter materials in separate sets so distribution does not delay the start.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for an endurance race?: Plan for route marking, race and bib numbers, timing equipment, horse water supplies, hay storage, drinks, medical supplies and finish-line awards. The exact quantities depend on the number of participants, horses and checkpoints.
How much drinking water do I need for an endurance race?: Calculate water separately for horses, participants and staff, then add at least 10% spare capacity. Place horse water at every planned support point and arrange enough containers for the number of horses arriving together.
How many race numbers and bib numbers should I order?: Prepare one of each per registered participant and keep about 10% extra. For example, 50 riders require at least 55 bib numbers and 55 race numbers if you want a practical replacement buffer.
When should I buy supplies for an endurance race?: Buy durable route and timing equipment at least two weeks before the race. Purchase fresh food and drinks after registrations close, then chill drinks and assemble starter packs one day before the event.

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