Marathon shopping list: what to buy and bring

A marathon needs more than medals and water at the finish line. You will need supplies for registration, course marking, runner support, luggage storage, volunteer coordination and the start and finish areas. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to underestimate, including cups, water containers, cooling supplies, signs and power equipment. Use the participant count to set quantities, then add a reserve for late registrations, damaged materials and hot weather.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Beer tablesqty 20
Foldable tablesqty 18
Folding chairsqty 40
Party tentsqty 8
Crowd barriersqty 120
Crowd control barriersqty 80

Equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Time registration system
Walkie-talkiesqty 20
Megaphonesqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Power banksqty 10

Sports equipment

Directional signsqty 80
Kilometer markersqty 43
Directional signsqty 60
Bib numbersqty 1200
Race bib strapsqty 1200
Finisher medalsqty 1200
Starting ribbonsqty 6
Luggage tagsqty 1200
Luggage cratesqty 40
Coolersqty 18
Water jerry cansqty 30
Disposable cupsqty 15000
Spongesqty 3000
Blanketsqty 300
Course mapsqty 50

Tableware

Mugsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 30
Serving bowlsqty 20
Cutting boardsqty 8
Kitchen knivesqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 12

Lighting

Work lightsqty 8
Battery lampsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 45
Litter pickersqty 8
Broom setsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 12
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 300 bottles
- Lemon sports drink - 180 bottles
- Orange sports drink - 180 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Orange juice - 20 cartons
- Apple juice - 20 packs
- Coffee - 12 packs
- Tea - 8 boxes
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Milk - 30 liters
- Oat milk - 10 liters
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Sweetener - 4 boxes
- Stirrers - 1500 pieces
- Paper cups - 2000 pieces
- Bananas - 150 kilograms
- Apples - 100 kilograms
- Oranges - 60 kilogram
- Grapes - 30 kilogram
- Raisins - 20 kilograms
- Dates - 15 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 1500 pieces
- Energy gels - 1800 pieces
- Energy chews - 600 bags
- Salt tablets - 1200 pieces
- Pretzels - 15 kilograms
- Currant buns - 800 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 25 loaves
- White bread - 15 loaves
- Young cheese - 12 kilogram
- Turkey breast - 8 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 8 jars
- Jam - 8 jars
- Butter - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 15 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 15 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Herb cream cheese - 5 kilograms
- Yogurt - 20 kilogram
- Vanilla custard - 15 liters
- Muesli - 8 kilogram
- Honey - 4 jars
- Egg cakes - 600 pieces
- Chocolate cookies - 12 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 5000 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 250 pieces
- Small trash bags - 150 pieces
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 12 bottles
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 20 boxes
- Tissues - 20 boxes
- Plaster strips - 10 boxes
- Wound gauze - 10 packs
- Sports tape - 20 rolls
- Cold packs - 40 pieces
- Paracetamol - 10 boxes

Tips

Plan one race bib and one bib strap per confirmed runner, then add around 5% extra for printing mistakes, replacements and late changes. Keep the bibs in registration order so volunteers can find them quickly.
For water stations, prepare enough disposable cups for every expected runner plus 20% spare. Place water jerry cans and coolers at each station, and arrange extra cooling supplies before race day rather than waiting for the forecast.
Buy one finisher medal for every expected finisher, not every registered participant, and keep a small reserve for damaged medals or results corrections. Store medals at the finish area so volunteers do not have to transport them during the event.
Pack route signs and kilometer markers in course order, with at least two complete sets of course maps for the route team and volunteer briefing. Missing or confusing signs are difficult to replace once road closures are in place.
Count power banks, extension cords and power strips for every timing, registration and communications point. Test the time registration system and walkie-talkies at least one day before the marathon, including spare batteries and charging cables.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a marathon?: Start with one cup per runner at each drinking station, then add about 20% spare. If 500 runners pass four stations, that means at least 2,400 cups before allowing for volunteers and multiple drinks.
How much water should I buy for a marathon?: Estimate the volume from your number of stations, runner count and expected drinks per runner; a practical starting point is two 250 ml drinks per runner, plus 20% reserve. Keep additional water for volunteers, medical support and hot conditions.
How many marathon medals should I order?: Order one medal per expected finisher and add roughly 5% spare. For 800 expected finishers, plan for about 840 medals, even if the registration list is larger.
When should I prepare the marathon shopping and supplies?: Buy printed materials, medals, luggage tags and signs at least two weeks before race day. Check cooling supplies, water containers, power equipment and communications gear again 24 to 48 hours before the start.

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