MTB marathon shopping list

An MTB marathon needs more than bikes and water. You need clear route marking, rider identification, repair supplies and a reliable setup at the start and finish. This shopping list covers the practical items used for registration, communication, course control and basic bike support. Check quantities against the number of riders, volunteers and course access points at least one week before the event, then keep a small reserve for damaged signs, flat tyres and missing equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 4
Folding tableqty 10
Folding chairqty 24
Standing tableqty 4
Waste binqty 8

Sports equipment

Start and finish arch
Route arrowqty 80
Barrier tapeqty 12
Marker coneqty 30
Bib numberqty 130
Wristbandqty 130
Medalqty 120
Stage stand
Spare inner tubeqty 20
Bike pumpqty 6
Mini pumpqty 10
Tire leverqty 20
Multitoolqty 10
Chain oilqty 4
Bike crateqty 8
Bicycle rackqty 6

Equipment

Two-way radioqty 12
Megaphoneqty 2
Speakerqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordqty 6
Power stripqty 6
Laptopqty 2
Printer
Power bankqty 8
Flashlightqty 12
Battery chargerqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupqty 180
Reusable plateqty 140
Reusable cutleryqty 140
Coffee cupqty 120
Thermosqty 8

Kitchen

Cool boxqty 10
Cutting boardqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Trayqty 12
Pitcherqty 12
Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Gas burnerqty 2
Gas cylinderqty 2
Cooling packqty 30
Jerrycanqty 8
Hand sanitiser pumpqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 4
Litter pickerqty 6
Bucketqty 6
Mopqty 6
Cleaning spongeqty 12
Dishpanqty 4

Decorations

Route signqty 18
Banner flagqty 12
Stage ribbon

Lighting

LED lampqty 12
String lightsqty 6
Reflectorqty 40

Groceries

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 48 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink lemon - 120 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink orange - 120 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 15 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Oranges - 10 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Muesli bars - 180 pieces
- Energy bars - 160 pieces
- Energy gels - 180 pieces
- Raisins - 6 kilo
- Salted peanuts - 5 kilo
- Studenten mix - 5 kilos
- Currant buns - 150 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 150 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain wraps - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Sliced chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 6 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Chickpea salad - 6 kilos
- Yogurt - 10 kilos
- Granola - 4 kilo
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Snacks - 12 bags
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Vegetable soup - 8 liters
- Vegetarian soup - 6 litres
- Bread rolls for soup - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags for residual waste - 100 pieces
- Plastic trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 8 boxes
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Gauze pads - 10 boxes
- Bandage rolls - 20 pieces
- Elastic bandages - 12 pieces
- Cold packs - 20 pieces
- Rescue blankets - 20 pieces
- Hand warmers - 40 pieces
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 6 bottles
- Highlighters - 12 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- Printer paper - 5 packs
- Printer ribbon or toner cartridge - 2 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces
- Rope - 4 rolls
- AA batteries - 40 pieces
- AAA batteries - 40 pieces

Tips

Prepare one bib number and one wristband per registered rider, plus at least 5% extra for late changes, replacements or damaged items. Sort them in rider-number order before registration opens.
Plan route marking by access point rather than buying a vague quantity. Carry spare route arrows, marker cones and barrier tape so volunteers can replace signs that move, disappear or become hard to see.
Keep bike-repair supplies at the start/finish and at any staffed course point. At minimum, make sure each repair station has spare inner tubes, a pump, tyre levers, a multitool, chain oil and a bike crate.
Test the event-day power setup before loading the vehicle. Check that the printer, laptop, speaker and microphone work together, and pack extension cords, power strips and power banks as backup.
Set aside finish-line supplies separately from course equipment. Medals, the finish arch, tables, chairs, waste bins and the tent are easy to overlook when route equipment is packed first.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an MTB marathon?: Plan for rider identification, route marking, communication, bike repairs and the start/finish area. The core kit includes bib numbers, wristbands, route arrows, barrier tape, cones, pumps, spare inner tubes, tools, radios, tables, a tent and medals.
How many bib numbers and wristbands do I need?: Buy one of each per registered rider, then add at least 5% spare. For 200 riders, that means 210 bib numbers and 210 wristbands, before allowing for separate volunteer identification if needed.
How much spare bike repair equipment is needed for an MTB marathon?: Prepare at least one complete repair set for the start/finish and one for each staffed repair point. Add spare inner tubes in several common sizes and check the route plan at least 7 days before the marathon so you can place equipment where riders can reach it.
When should I buy the supplies for an MTB marathon?: Order reusable equipment and printed materials at least 2 weeks before the event. Finish the final shopping check 3 to 5 days beforehand, after registrations, route changes and the weather forecast have been reviewed.

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