What you need for an obstacle race
An obstacle race needs more than obstacles. Your shopping list also has to cover course marking, participant identification, timing, first aid, refreshments and a workable start and finish area. Plan quantities around the number of participants, volunteers and course length rather than buying everything in the same amount. The items in this plan cover muddy sections, climbing obstacles, crawl sections and wet stations, plus the equipment people often remember only when setup has already started.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 3
- Tablesqty 12
- Beer tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 40
- Changing room screensqty 6
- Waste binsqty 12
Sports equipment
- Obstacle barriersqty 2
- Crawl tunnelsqty 2
- Bales of strawqty 20
- Climbing netsqty 2
- Mud pitsqty 2
- Wooden beamsqty 12
- Ropesqty 8
- Water tubsqty 4
- Rubber matsqty 30
- Spongesqty 100
- Conesqty 80
- Ribbonsqty 300
- Bib numbersqty 250
- Safety vestsqty 30
- Finisher medalsqty 220
- Stopwatchesqty 6
- Measuring tapesqty 3
- Prizesqty 12
Equipment
- Mobile sound system
- Microphonesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 4
- Coolersqty 8
- Flashlightsqty 8
- Mobile phonesqty 6
- Power banksqty 6
- Cameraqty 2
- Laptopqty 2
- Printer
- Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Tableware
- Reusable drinking cupsqty 300
- Reusable platesqty 250
- Reusable cutleryqty 250
Kitchen
- Water jugsqty 12
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Scissorsqty 8
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Knivesqty 12
- Storage binsqty 20
- Serving spoonsqty 10
Cleaning
- Broomqty 4
- Dustpan and brushqty 4
- Mopsqty 4
- Bucketsqty 6
- Water extractorsqty 2
- First aid kitsqty 3
- Fire extinguishersqty 2
Decorations
- Start/finish arch
- Buntingqty 12
- Direction signsqty 25
- Information boardsqty 8
- Directional signsqty 20
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 10
- String lightsqty 6
- Batteriesqty 40
Catering
- Groceries
- Still water - 240 bottles
- Sparkling water - 80 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Lemon - 2 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Bananas - 12 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 250 pieces
- Protein bars - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salted peanuts - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Baby carrots - 6 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White bread - 10 loaves
- Wholegrain wraps - 12 packs
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Aged cheese - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus spread - 2 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Vegetarian burgers - 120 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 140 pieces
- Vegetarian hot dogs - 120 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 140 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 25 kilogram
- Arugula - 3 kilograms
- Mixed lettuce - 8 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 6 kilogram
- Red onion - 3 kilogram
- Corn - 12 cans
- Cucumber for salad - 6 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes for salad - 5 kilogram
- Feta cheese - 3 kilogram
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 200 grams
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Cleaning product - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 300 pieces
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 10 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 10 packs
- Elastic bandages - 20 pieces
- Cold packs - 20 pieces
Tips
- Plan one bib number, one safety vest and one finisher medal per participant, then add at least 5% spare bibs and medals for last-minute entries or damaged items.
- For a course with mud, water and crawling sections, provide rubber mats at slippery transitions and keep extra ropes, cones and ribbons available for rerouting or closing an obstacle.
- Count tables and chairs separately for registration, refreshments and the finish area. Keep changing room screens away from the busiest queue so participants can change without blocking check-in.
- Prepare one clearly stocked first aid point before shopping for extras, and place flashlights with the course team rather than leaving them at the start line.
- Chill drinks before participants arrive and provide coolers near the start and finish. A mobile sound system, microphones, extension cords and power strips should be tested together before race day.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I buy for an obstacle race?
- Start with the course equipment: barriers, crawl tunnels, straw bales, climbing nets, mud pits, beams, ropes, water tubs, mats, sponges, cones and ribbons. Add participant supplies, safety vests, first aid materials, timing equipment, drinks and finish-area furniture.
- How many bib numbers and medals do I need for an obstacle race?
- Buy one bib number and one finisher medal per registered participant, plus at least 5% extra. For 100 participants, that means 105 bib numbers and medals so replacements are available.
- How much obstacle race equipment do I need for 50 participants?
- There is no single quantity for every obstacle: base it on the route design and participant flow. For 50 participants, prepare 50 bibs and medals, several course-marking points, and enough mats, ropes and barriers to secure every obstacle and transition.
- What do I need for a muddy obstacle race?
- Include mud pits, water tubs, rubber mats, sponges, ropes and course-marking cones or ribbons. Set aside extra towels or changing-room screens if participants will need to clean up or change immediately after finishing.
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