What you need for a half marathon

A half marathon needs more than bib numbers and medals. You also need a clear way to mark the route, keep volunteers visible and connected, record finishers, and support runners at the start and finish. This shopping list covers the practical equipment behind the race, from safety pins and kilometre markers to walkie-talkies and power banks. Check quantities against your runner count, volunteer roster and route layout before you place orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 8
High tablesqty 6
Luggage barriersqty 12

Sports equipment

Start and finish arch
Bib numbersqty 600
Safety pinsqty 1200
Finish medalsqty 600
Route signsqty 80
Kilometer markersqty 22
Directional signsqty 45
Marking paintqty 12
Route barrier ribbonsqty 20
Vests for volunteersqty 55
High-visibility vestsqty 20
Start and finish ribbonqty 2
Timing matsqty 2
Timekeeping clocksqty 3
Megaphonesqty 6
Running polesqty 10
Medal holdersqty 4

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 10
Walkie-talkiesqty 20
Charging stationsqty 4
Coolersqty 12
Hot drink urnsqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Handheld scannersqty 4

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 10

Traffic equipment

Crowd control barriersqty 40
Traffic conesqty 60
Traffic signsqty 20
Road narrowing barriersqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 4
AEDsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 30
Nitrile glovesqty 10
Flashlightsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 800
Coffee cupsqty 100
Thermal mugsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 20
Water jugsqty 12
Jerry cansqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Thermo boxesqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Broom setsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Mopsqty 8
Cleaning spraysqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Sponsor bannersqty 20
Registration arrowsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 1200 bottles
- Spa Red - 300 bottles
- Cola - 40 bottles
- Coca-Cola Zero - 40 bottles
- Orange soda - 24 bottles
- Ice tea - 24 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 500 bottles
- Apple juice - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 400 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweetener - 300 pieces
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Ice cubes - 40 kilos
- Bananas - 600 pieces
- Apples - 400 pieces
- Oranges - 250 pieces
- Grapes - 20 kilos
- Muesli bars - 600 pieces
- Energy bars - 400 pieces
- Raisins - 10 kilos
- Currant buns - 400 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White rolls - 300 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 200 pieces
- Croissants - 150 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 4 kilos
- Low-fat margarine - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 10 kilos
- Lettuce - 20 heads
- Bell peppers - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 100 grams
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Vegetable soup - 10 liters
- Vegetarian wraps - 100 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 100 pieces
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Potato salad - 10 kilos
- Pasta salad - 10 kilos
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Salted peanuts - 5 kilo
- Popcorn - 5 kilos
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Beer - 120 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 120 cans
- Wine - 20 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 10 bottles
- Carbonated water - 20 bottles
- Apple cider vinegar - 1 liter
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Napkins - 2000 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 1000 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 1000 pieces
- Straws - 600 pieces
- Sugar sachets - 1000 pieces
- Trash bags - 300 pcs
- Compostable trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 120 rolls
- Hand soap - 12 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 20 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 20 packs
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 20 packs
- AA batteries - 40 pieces
- AAA batteries - 40 pieces
- Duct tape - 12 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Marker pens - 24 pieces
- A4 paper - 5 packs
- Pens - 50 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Labels - 1000 pieces

Tips

Order bib numbers, safety pins and medals for every registered runner, then add a small buffer of around 5% for damaged items, late registrations or replacements.
Plan route-marking supplies by the number of turns and kilometres rather than buying one set for the whole course. Count signs, kilometre markers, arrow boards, barrier ribbon and marking paint during a route walk-through.
Give every course and finish-line volunteer a high-visibility vest, and provide enough walkie-talkies for key points such as the start, finish, medical support and route teams. Allow roughly one radio per team lead.
Check the power plan at least one week before race day. Match extension cords, power strips and power banks to the timing equipment, sound system, microphones and speakers, especially where no mains outlet is nearby.
Prepare the start and finish area with tables, chairs, tents and bagagehekken before the final week. Include a dry, sheltered place for registration materials, spare bibs, medals and timing equipment so setup is not delayed by bad weather.

Frequently asked questions

How many half marathon medals and bib numbers should I buy?: Buy one medal and one bib number for every confirmed entrant, then add about 5% extra. For 400 runners, that means 420 medals and bib numbers, unless your supplier requires a different pack size.
How many kilometre markers do I need for a half marathon?: For a standard 21.1-kilometre race, prepare markers for kilometres 1 through 21, plus a clearly marked finish. Count any extra directional signs separately for junctions, turns and shared sections of the route.
How many walkie-talkies are needed for a half marathon?: Start with one walkie-talkie for each operational team lead: start, finish, timing, medical support, route control and the lead marshal. For a small race, six to eight radios is a practical starting point; add units when teams are spread across the course.
When should I order half marathon race supplies?: Order bib numbers, medals, timing equipment and route signs at least four to six weeks before race day. Buy consumable marking materials, batteries and power banks after registration closes, when the runner and volunteer counts are final.

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