What you need for a marathon

A marathon needs more than race numbers and medals. You will need supplies for registration, course marking, water stations, timing, communication, first aid and the finish area. Buy or collect disposable items early, especially cups, drinks, signs and participant materials, because replacing them during race week is difficult. Use your final registration count to calculate quantities, then add a small buffer for volunteers, damaged items and late changes.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 18
Chairsqty 40
Registration tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 24

Sports equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Traffic barriersqty 80
Traffic conesqty 120
Kilometer markersqty 43
Directional arrowsqty 60
Start zone signsqty 6
Drink cup racksqty 18
Timing matsqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Race bib beltsqty 30

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 20
Megaphonesqty 6
Laptopqty 2
Printerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Power banksqty 10
Speakersqty 2

Catering

Coolersqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 12
Insulated jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 300 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 180 liters
- Cola - 40 bottles
- Cola Zero - 30 bottles
- Apple juice - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 35 kilos
- Apples - 30 kilo
- Oranges - 25 kilos
- Grapes - 15 kilos
- Dates - 8 kilos
- Raisins - 6 kilo
- Muesli bars - 1200 units
- Energy gels - 1200 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salted crackers - 20 packs
- Bread - 30 loaves
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- Cheese - 8 kilos
- Ham - 6 kilo
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Napkins - 2500 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 300 pcs
- Hand soap - 12 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 24 bottles
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 20 packs
- Sponges - 24 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 20 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Paper bags - 1000 pieces
- Name stickers - 500 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 100 pieces
- Printing paper - 10 packs
- Printer ink - 4 sets
- Tape - 24 rolls
- Cable ties - 1000 pieces

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 1800
Platesqty 600
Cutlery setsqty 600
Serving spoonsqty 24
Cutting boardsqty 8

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 24
Serving traysqty 12
Ice packsqty 48

Safety

First aid kitsqty 8
Emergency blanketsqty 100
Disposable glovesqty 20
Safety vestsqty 50
Flashlightsqty 12

Decorations

Route bannersqty 12
Finish banner
Flagsqty 30
Prize tableclothqty 4

Cleaning

Mop setsqty 4
Bucketsqty 8
Litter pickersqty 8
Broom setsqty 6

Tips

Plan drinks and cups by station, not just by total runner count. For a busy water station, prepare enough cups for the expected runners plus at least 10% extra, and keep reserve drinks in coolers or insulated jugs.
Prepare one complete registration setup for every active desk: table, chairs, laptop access, printer access, extension cords and power banks. Test the printer and timing equipment at least one day before race day.
Pack course-marking supplies in separate, labelled bundles by kilometre. Include the kilometre markers, directional arrows, cones and barriers for each section so volunteers can set up without sorting everything on site.
Count communication equipment before the briefing. Give a walkie-talkie to each key area, such as start, finish, water stations and first aid, and keep at least two charged power banks available.
Do not leave signs and finish-area equipment until race morning. Sort the start and finish signs, arches, tables, waste bins and reusable cups the day before, then check the route once more after setup.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a marathon?: Plan supplies for registration, course marking, water stations, timing, communication, first aid and the finish area. Your list should include signs, cones, barriers, cups, drinks, tables, printers, walkie-talkies, timing equipment and participant materials.
How many cups do I need for a marathon water station?: Use the expected number of runners passing each station as your base, then add at least 10% extra. If 800 runners are expected, prepare at least 880 cups for that station, with additional stock for volunteers and spills.
How early should I buy marathon supplies?: Order race numbers, medals, signs and other customised items several weeks before the event. Buy consumables and check equipment at least 7 days ahead, leaving the final day for packing and replacements.
What should I prepare for marathon registration?: Prepare one registration desk per planned queue or check-in point, with tables, chairs, a laptop, printer, power access and participant information. Test every device at least 24 hours before registration opens and keep printed backup lists available.

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