What You Need for a Mud Run

A mud run needs more than obstacles and mud. You will need materials to mark and secure the course, supplies for registration and timing, and enough water and towels for participants after the finish. Buy or collect disposable items early, especially bib numbers, gloves and drinking water. Use your final participant count to set quantities, then add a small buffer for damaged materials, volunteers and last-minute registrations.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 30
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage cratesqty 20
Luggage binsqty 6

Equipment

Megaphonesqty 2
Stopwatchesqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable walkie-talkiesqty 8
Mobile phoneqty 3

Sports equipment

Rope rollsqty 8
Wooden polesqty 30
Wooden planksqty 15
Hay balesqty 20
Mud pitsqty 4
Water tubsqty 6
Wire fencesqty 30
Traffic conesqty 40
Marker postsqty 50
Rolls of barrier tapeqty 12
Bib numbersqty 120
Finish medalsqty 120
Water bottlesqty 120
Towelsqty 120
Rubber glovesqty 20
Scoopsqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 3
Water hosesqty 4
Rope ladderqty 2
Climbing netsqty 3
Tiresqty 40
Plastic tarpsqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
AED
Safety vestsqty 25
Helmetsqty 20
Safety gogglesqty 20
Flashlightsqty 10
Fire extinguishersqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20

Lighting

LED construction lightsqty 8
LED string lightsqty 6
Batteriesqty 40

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jerry cansqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Soup kettlesqty 3
Food warmersqty 4

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Bucketsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 180 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Sugar sticks - 200 pieces
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Beef hamburgers - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 10 pieces
- Cheddar slices - 120 pieces
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Tomatoes - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Onions - 30 pieces
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Onion soup - 40 servings
- Tomato soup - 40 portions
- Vegetable soup - 40 portions
- Soup sticks - 10 packs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 120 pieces
- Oranges - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 15 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan sauce - 4 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 5 boxes
- Gauze pads - 5 boxes
- Sports tape - 10 rolls
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan one bib number and one finish medal per participant, plus at least 5% extra for replacements and late changes. Keep bib numbers sorted before registration opens so starter groups can check in quickly.
Provide at least one water bottle per participant and keep additional drinking water available at the finish. Put water where runners can reach it immediately after the final obstacle, not only near registration.
Use barrier tape, traffic cones and marker posts together: tape defines the route, cones highlight turns and posts keep markings visible in mud. Check the markings once after building the obstacles and again before the first start.
Bring one pair of rubber gloves per person handling mud, waste or wet equipment, with spare pairs for volunteers. Scoops are useful for moving mud and clearing water tubs without using bare hands.
Keep towels and luggage bins at the finish, separate from clean registration supplies. Allow enough bins for one bag per participant if runners must leave clothing or valuables before starting.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a mud run?: Plan for course-marking and obstacle materials, bib numbers, medals, water bottles, towels, rubber gloves and waste-handling supplies. You will also need registration and timing equipment such as a laptop, printer, stopwatch and megaphone.
How much water do I need for a mud run?: Start with at least one bottle per participant, then add extra drinking water for volunteers and anyone who finishes without a bottle. For a group of 100, prepare at least 110 bottles and a separate reserve for hot weather.
How many mud run towels should I buy?: Buy one towel per participant if everyone should receive one, plus about 10% extra for volunteers, damaged towels and late registrations. For 100 runners, that means 110 towels.
When should I buy mud run supplies?: Order printed bib numbers, medals and any custom materials at least 3 to 4 weeks before the event. Collect ropes, poles, planks, fences and tubs early enough to inspect and repair them before course construction.

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