What you need for an indoor marathon

An indoor marathon needs more than race numbers and medals. You need clear course markers, timing equipment, participant supplies, drinks, snacks and enough power points for the technology at the start and finish. This shopping list also covers the items people often remember too late, such as luggage tags, emergency blankets, charging stations and extension cords. Check quantities against your registration list, then shop and assemble starter packs before event day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 35
Changing room benchesqty 8
Waste binsqty 12

Sports equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Conesqty 80
Barrier tapeqty 12
Crowd barriersqty 20
Round signsqty 10
Distance signsqty 20
Bib numbersqty 180
Start number bandsqty 180
Participant medalsqty 180
Prizesqty 6
Timing matsqty 2
Stopwatchesqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 20
Luggage tagsqty 180
Emergency blanketsqty 30

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Sound system
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Charging stationsqty 2
Coolersqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Scalesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Thermos bottlesqty 6
Cool bagsqty 4

Decorations

Welcome bannersqty 2
Directional signsqty 25
Name badgesqty 40
Tableclothsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Emergency lightingqty 4

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning cartsqty 2
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Coffee - 2.5 kilograms
- Black tea - 100 tea bags
- Herbal tea - 50 bags
- Cocoa powder - 1 kilogram
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Lemon slices - 2 kilograms
- Bananas - 15 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Oranges - 10 kilograms
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Dates - 4 kilograms
- Raisins - 3 kilograms
- Energy gels - 240 pieces
- Muesli bars - 240 pieces
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread rolls - 120 pieces
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 5 kilograms
- Mini pretzels - 4 kilogram
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free muesli bars - 30 pieces
- Vegan energy bars - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 800 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable cups - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 4 packs
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Cold packs - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan one bib number, start number band and wristband for every participant, plus at least 5% spare stock for printing errors, late registrations or damaged items.
Buy enough drinks and snacks for the full running period, not just the start. Keep drinks chilled in coolers and prepare a separate supply for volunteers working at course stations.
Measure the hall before buying or collecting course equipment. Cones, barrier tape, crowd barriers, round signs and distance signs must cover the complete route and leave the start and finish areas clearly visible.
Do not leave event technology until the morning itself: test the laptop, printer, sound system, microphone, timing mats and stopwatches together, and bring extension cords, power strips and charging stations.
Prepare one clearly labelled set of participant and safety supplies for each relevant area. Luggage tags, reflective vests and emergency blankets are easy to overlook when the focus is on medals and prizes.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for an indoor marathon?: Plan race numbers, start number bands, participant medals, course markers, timing equipment, drinks, snacks and participant supplies. You will also need practical setup items such as tables, waste bins, extension cords and power strips.
How many bib numbers should I order for an indoor marathon?: Order one bib number per registered participant and add at least 5% spare numbers. For 100 runners, that means preparing 105 bib numbers before starter packs are assembled.
When should I prepare the indoor marathon shopping list?: Create the list as soon as registrations open and check it again 7 days before the event. Buy durable equipment early, then purchase or chill drinks and prepare snacks close enough to the event that they remain fresh.
How much drinking water and food do I need for an indoor marathon?: Use your participant count, the planned event duration and the number of volunteers to calculate supplies. As a starting point, allow 500–750 ml of drinks per participant for the event, then add extra for volunteers and longer sessions.

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