What you need for a mass start race

A mass start race needs more than bib numbers and medals. You will also need equipment for registration, route marking, crowd control, timing, communications, first aid and the finish area. Plan quantities around your participant count, then add a small reserve for damaged bibs, missing safety pins and extra drinks. Some items, such as toilets, barriers, tents and medical supplies, must be booked or ordered well before race day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Registration tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 350
Safety pinsqty 800
Finisher medalsqty 350
Route arrowsqty 80
Kilometer markersqty 15
Start arch
Finish arch
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Conesqty 40
Ribbonsqty 10
Starter pistol
Stopwatchesqty 6
Pedometersqty 4
Drink dispensersqty 8
Coolersqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
High-visibility vestsqty 25
Rain umbrellasqty 8
Prize trophiesqty 6

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 8
Laptopsqty 2
Printersqty 2
Mobile phonesqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Flagsqty 20
Bannersqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Reusable platesqty 350
Reusable cutleryqty 350
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coolersqty 4
Dishpanqty 3

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning spongesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 30 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Sports drink lemon - 12 bottles
- Orange sports drink - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 400 pieces
- Energy gels - 250 pieces
- Currant buns - 200 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Nut mix - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 10 packs
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Honey - 2 jars
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable plates - 400 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Coffee cups - 500 pieces
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Table labels - 20 pieces
- Labels - 500 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 20 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces
- Chalk - 12 pieces
- Rain ponchos - 50 pieces
- Latex gloves - 10 boxes

Tips

Order one bib number and at least two safety pins per registered participant, plus a 5–10% reserve for replacements and late corrections. Sort the bibs before race day so registration staff can find them quickly.
Allow one finisher medal for every expected finisher and keep a small spare stock. Medals are easy to forget until the finish arch is being assembled, when replacing them is no longer practical.
Mark the route with arrows and kilometre markers before participants arrive. Bring extra cones and ribbons because crossings, turns and windy sections usually need more marking than the first route check suggests.
Prepare one high-visibility vest and one walkie-talkie for each key course or safety role, with at least two spare radios. Test the radios, starter pistol, stopwatches and sound system before the start rather than during the final briefing.
For the start and finish areas, plan registration tables, folding tables, chairs, waste bins, drink dispensers and coolers together. Add extension cords and power strips only after checking the power points and cable lengths at both locations.

Frequently asked questions

How many bib numbers and safety pins do I need for a mass start race?: Plan one bib number per participant and two safety pins per bib. Add 5–10% extra bibs and pins for replacements, damaged numbers and registration changes.
How many finisher medals should I buy?: Buy one medal for every expected finisher, not just every registered runner. A practical reserve is 5–10% above the expected finisher count, especially when completion numbers are uncertain.
When should I order race supplies for a mass start race?: Order bib numbers, medals, tents, toilets, barriers and medical support several weeks before race day. Set a final equipment check at least 7 days beforehand so missing items can still be replaced.
What safety equipment is needed at a mass start race?: Prepare first aid kits, emergency blankets, high-visibility vests, walkie-talkies, cones, ribbons and crowd-control barriers. The exact quantity depends on the route and volunteer positions, but every staffed safety point needs clear communication and access to first aid.

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