What you need for a marathon relay

A marathon relay needs more than race bibs and finish medals. You will need supplies for registration, route marking, checkpoints, timing, volunteer coordination, safety and runner support. Plan quantities around the number of relay teams, checkpoints and aid stations, then add spares for damaged signs, missing bibs and equipment failures. Buy or collect disposable and printed items at least one week before race day, while chilled drinks and final food supplies can wait until the day before.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 10

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 250
Race bib strapsqty 250
Replacement skewersqty 80
Finish medalsqty 250
Route signsqty 45
Kilometer markersqty 43
Conesqty 80
Traffic barriersqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 12
Clipboardsqty 15
Stopwatchesqty 12
Megaphonesqty 4
Reflective vestsqty 30
Rain ponchosqty 30
First aid kitsqty 3

Equipment

PA system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 2
Printersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 8
Coolersqty 10
Flashlightsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 350
Platesqty 300
Cutlery setsqty 300
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Knivesqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8
Water jugsqty 20
Insulated cratesqty 12

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Lighting

Work lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemon tea - 2 boxes
- Bananas - 25 kilos
- Apples - 20 kilo
- Oranges - 15 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Dates - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 300 pieces
- Currant buns - 150 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Wholegrain rolls - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 50 pieces
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Low-fat margarine - 3 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Nut mix - 5 kilos
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan toppings - 12 packages
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Diet cookies - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Paper napkins - 800 pieces
- Paper cups - 400 pcs
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Pedal bin liners - 100 pieces
- Latex gloves - 300 pieces
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 10 packs
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Cold packs - 20 pieces
- Wound disinfectant - 6 bottles
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Duct tape - 8 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces
- Printer paper - 5 packs
- Ballpoint pens - 50 pieces
- Highlighters - 12 pieces
- Labels - 500 pieces

Tips

Prepare one starter pack per participant or relay entry, including the assigned bib number and strap. Print extra bibs, starting lists and route maps in case of last-minute changes or damaged copies.
Count route signs, kilometre markers, cones and barrier tape by checkpoint and road section, then add at least 10% spare marking equipment. Keep replacement skewers and basic repair supplies with the route team rather than at the finish.
Give each aid station its own cooler, cups and first aid kit, with extra stock held at the start or finish. Fill coolers on race morning so drinks remain cold without taking up storage space overnight.
Match safety equipment to the number of volunteers working outside: provide one reflective vest per marshal and enough flashlights and rain ponchos for anyone covering the route in poor weather. Store spare vests and ponchos at the main checkpoint.
Test stopwatches, laptops, printers, the PA system and wireless microphones before race day, and pack power banks, extension cords and power strips as backups. Bring printed timing sheets because a battery or connection failure should not stop the finish process.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a marathon relay?: Plan supplies for four areas: runner registration, route marking, safety and the finish area. Typical items include bibs and straps, route signs, kilometre markers, cones, reflective vests, first aid kits, timing equipment, coolers, reusable cups and finish medals.
How many marathon relay bibs should I order?: Order one bib for every registered relay entry or participant, depending on your handover format, plus 5–10% spares. For 100 participants, that means 105 to 110 bibs and matching straps.
When should I buy supplies for a marathon relay?: Buy printed materials, signs, safety equipment and medals at least 1–2 weeks before the event. Purchase drinks and other chilled supplies 1 day before, then fill the coolers on race morning.
How much route marking equipment do I need for a relay race?: Count signs and kilometre markers for every turn and route section, and assign cones or barriers to each controlled crossing. Add at least 10% spare signs and tape, because equipment can be moved, damaged or lost during setup.

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