What you need for an obstacle course run

An obstacle course run needs more than obstacles. You will need equipment to build and mark the course, supplies for registration and timing, water for participants, and enough safety and cleanup gear for a muddy finish. Use the quantities below as planning benchmarks, then adjust them to your participant count, course length and volunteer team. Arrange rented obstacles, toilets and barriers early; these are often the items that become unavailable first.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 8
Start deskqty 2
Luggage racksqty 6

Sports equipment

Obstacle fencesqty 8
Climbing netsqty 3
Rope laddersqty 3
Climbing ropesqty 4
Tiresqty 30
Wooden beamsqty 12
Crawl tunnelsqty 3
Mud pitsqty 4
Sandbagsqty 20
Water tubsqty 4
Crash matsqty 12
Traffic conesqty 40
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Starting ribbonsqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Whistlesqty 15
Medal ribbonsqty 120
Race bib beltsqty 120
Bib holdersqty 120
Water jerry cansqty 8
Drinking water dispensersqty 8
Mop setsqty 4
Scoopsqty 6
Rakesqty 4
Wheelbarrowsqty 3
Rubber malletsqty 6
Ratchet strapsqty 20
Cable tiesqty 200
Duct tapeqty 8
Work glovesqty 20
Reflective vestsqty 25
Course signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 30
Whiteboardsqty 3
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 50
Race number sheetsqty 140
Route mapsqty 140
Prize trophiesqty 6
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Ice packsqty 20
Stretcher
Handwashing stationsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Reusable platesqty 150
Reusable cutleryqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s platesqty 6
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 30

Equipment

Battery lampsqty 8
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 10

Lighting

Light Stripsqty 8
Work lightsqty 6
Headlampsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Start arch
Finish arch
Stage blocksqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 15
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 5
Floor squeegeesqty 4
Bucketsqty 8
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Multigrain bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 80 pieces
- Mini wraps - 100 pieces
- Young cheese - 6 kilograms
- Mature cheese - 4 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 4 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 pieces
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Olives - 2 kilograms
- Pesto sauce - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Muesli bars - 120 pieces
- Energy gels - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 120 pieces
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Oranges - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilograms
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Oatmeal cookies - 8 packs
- Vegan deli slices - 3 kilos
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Lactose-free cheese - 1 kilogram
- Coffee beans - 3 kilograms
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 30 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces
- Bandages - 100 pieces
- Sterile gauze pads - 40 pieces
- Disinfectant - 4 bottles
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Paper wristbands - 150 pieces

Tips

Plan one water point after the most demanding section and another near the finish. As a starting point, allow 0.5–1 litre of drinking water per participant, plus extra water for volunteers and hot weather.
Prepare one race bib, bib holder and medal ribbon per participant, with at least 5% spare. Print route maps and participant information several days before the event so missing registrations can be corrected.
Give each obstacle station a whistle and reliable communication method, and provide walkie-talkies for the course lead, finish area and safety coordinator. Test the radios on the full route before participants arrive.
For muddy obstacles, keep crash mats at fall or landing points and place mop sets, scoops and water jerry cans near the finish. Set aside a clearly marked area for wet or dirty belongings rather than leaving bags beside the course.
Mark the start and finish with ribbons, cones and barriers, then leave a clear lane for emergency access. Count the cones and barriers during setup and again after the final group has finished.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for an obstacle course run?: Allow at least 0.5–1 litre of drinking water per participant, depending on temperature and course length. Add water for volunteers and keep a reserve for delays or hot weather.
How many spare race bibs and medals should I buy?: Buy one bib and medal ribbon per registered participant, plus at least 5% spare. For 100 participants, that means 105 of each.
When should I reserve obstacles and portable toilets?: Reserve rented obstacles and toilets as soon as the date and venue are confirmed, preferably at least 6–8 weeks ahead. Popular equipment may not be available if you wait until the final fortnight.
What safety equipment is needed for a muddy obstacle course?: Use crash mats at fall points, obstacle fences or crowd barriers around risk areas, traffic cones for route marking, and whistles or walkie-talkies for staff. Check every obstacle and safety zone before the first starter group goes out.

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