What to Buy for a Four-Day Walking Event

A four-day walking event needs more than food and water at the finish. Plan supplies for route marking, rest areas, registration, volunteer communication and changing weather across all four days. Buy or prepare consumables early, then check quantities again after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed. Use this list alongside your route plan so every rest point, start area and finish area has the equipment it needs.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 8
Waste binsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 12

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Mobile phonesqty 6
Chargersqty 8
Music speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Water dispensersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 8

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 120
Route signsqty 40
Bib numbersqty 450
Wristbandsqty 450
Medal ribbonsqty 450
Walking medalsqty 450
Route mapsqty 500
Clipboardsqty 12
Markersqty 24
Conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 12
Safety vestsqty 20
Rain umbrellasqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Coffee cupsqty 500
Platesqty 300
Cutlery setsqty 300
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving jugsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 4
Kettlesqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Jerry cansqty 12

First aid

First aid kitsqty 4
Disposable glovesqty 100
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Ice packsqty 30
Blister plastersqty 200

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 12
Batteriesqty 48

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Dutch flagsqty 8
Directional signsqty 20

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Trash grabbersqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Disinfectantqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 600 bottles
- Spa Rood - 120 bottles
- Apple juice - 40 liter
- Orange juice - 40 liters
- Cola - 30 liters
- Coca-Cola Zero - 30 liters
- Orange soda - 20 liters
- Ice tea - 20 liters
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 4 packs
- Milk - 20 liters
- Coffee creamer - 12 cups
- Stir sticks - 600 pieces
- Napkins - 2000 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 40 loaves
- White bread - 30 loaves
- Mini currant buns - 600 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 600 pieces
- Cheese - 12 kilogram
- Ham - 8 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 6 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 kilograms
- Jam - 6 jars
- Peanut butter - 6 jars
- Butter - 4 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Apples - 500 pieces
- Bananas - 400 pieces
- Oranges - 300 pieces
- Grapes - 30 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 30 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 20 kilograms
- Carrots - 20 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Wholegrain cookies - 30 packs
- Muesli bars - 500 pieces
- Raisins - 15 kilogram
- Nut mix - 10 kilograms
- Currant buns - 500 pieces
- Cupcakes - 500 pieces
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Lemons - 50 pieces
- Herb mix - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 12 bottles
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 12 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 12 packs
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Freezer bags - 10 boxes
- Storage containers - 100 pieces
- Paper bags - 600 pieces
- Plastic gloves - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 4 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 12 bottles
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- Tissues - 24 packs
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Blister plasters - 20 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 10 boxes
- Bandage rolls - 20 pieces
- Wound cleanser - 10 bottles
- Painkillers - 10 boxes
- Insect repellent - 8 bottles
- Paper drinking straws - 500 pieces
- Name stickers - 500 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 50 pieces
- Printer paper - 5 packs
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces
- Rope - 6 rolls

Tips

Plan drinking water for every walking day, not just the start and finish. Place coolers, water dispensers and reusable cups at rest areas, and keep spare supplies available if the forecast is warm.
Prepare route materials before the first day. Count route arrows, route signs, cones and barrier tape by route section, and keep a separate repair kit with markers for signs that move or go missing.
Pack one labelled volunteer kit per shift or route zone. Include a clipboard, printed route maps, a mobile phone or walkie-talkie, a charger and a safety vest so volunteers are not sharing essential equipment.
Do not leave participant materials until the final evening. Order bib numbers, wristbands, medal ribbons and walking medals early enough to check the count against registrations and keep extras for replacements.
Make the start and finish area weather-ready. Set aside party tents, tables, chairs, rain umbrellas, extension cords and power strips before setup day, and test speakers and the microphone while there is still time to solve power problems.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a four-day walking event?: Plan water for each day and each rest area rather than buying one total batch for the event. A practical starting point is 0.5 to 1 litre per participant per day, then add extra for volunteers, warm weather and an emergency reserve.
When should I buy supplies for a four-day walking event?: Order printed route maps, bib numbers, signs and medals at least 3 to 4 weeks before day one. Buy short-life items such as drinks and fresh food closer to the event, after registrations and dietary requirements are confirmed.
What equipment do walking event volunteers need?: Give each route team a safety vest, route map, clipboard, marker and communication device. Provide at least one charger or power bank per mobile phone and check all equipment during the briefing before the first walking day.
How many spare bib numbers and medals should I buy?: Keep around 5% extra bib numbers, wristbands and medals when the final participant count is known. For 200 walkers, that means preparing about 10 spares for replacements, damaged items or late changes.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.