Obstacle Run Shopping List

An obstacle run needs more than obstacles. You also need equipment to mark the course, protect participants, manage start groups, record times and run the start and finish areas. This shopping list brings those supplies together, from climbing nets and mud pits to cones, timing chips, first-aid materials and event furniture. Check quantities against your course length, participant count and number of volunteers before ordering, because replacement gear and extension cables are often arranged too late.

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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 30
Beer tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10

Sports equipment

Obstacle setsqty 12
Climbing netsqty 3
Rope laddersqty 3
Crawl tunnelsqty 4
Mud pitsqty 3
Bales of strawqty 30
Wooden beamsqty 12
Traffic conesqty 40
Race bib beltsqty 250
Finish tokensqty 250
Medalsqty 250
Time-tracking chipsqty 250
Stopwatchesqty 6
Whistlesqty 15
Training bibsqty 20
Conesqty 60
Skipping ropesqty 10
Rubber matsqty 20
Crash matsqty 12
Hand trucksqty 3

Equipment

Portable sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable walkie-talkiesqty 12
Power banksqty 6
Laptopsqty 2
Printersqty 2
Light polesqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Work lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 20

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Water jugsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6
Pouring tongsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Giveaway binsqty 12
Handwash sinksqty 4
Ice packsqty 40

Decorations

Start and finish arch
Directional signsqty 30
Directional signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 10
Bannersqty 6
Cable tiesqty 300
Herringqty 80
Ground pegsqty 60

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Trash bag holdersqty 10
Broom setsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 8
Mopsqty 6
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Paper towel dispensersqty 6
Toilet paper rollsqty 48
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Cooling packsqty 30
Nitrile glovesqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 600 bottles
- Spa Rood - 120 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 240 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee beans - 4 kilograms
- Tea bags - 300 pieces
- Sugar - 3 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 4 kilograms
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Wholemeal rolls - 250 pieces
- White rolls - 150 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Chicken breast slices - 5 kg
- Young mature cheese - 5 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 250 pieces
- Bananas - 250 pieces
- Oranges - 150 pieces
- Grapes - 15 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 300 pieces
- Energy gels - 250 pieces
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Nut mix - 6 kilogram
- Gluten-free crackers - 8 packs
- Vegan toppings - 3 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Spice mix - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Ice cubes - 40 kilogram
- Disposable napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Compostable snack bags - 500 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant hand gel - 12 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Disinfectant wipes - 12 packs
- Bandages - 10 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 10 boxes
- Adhesive bandages - 6 boxes
- Elastic bandages - 20 pieces
- Medical tape - 10 rolls
- Wound disinfectant - 6 bottles
- Disposable gloves - 10 boxes
- Face masks - 100 pieces
- Safety pins - 500 pieces
- Highlighters - 24 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 50 pieces
- Copy paper - 2 packs
- Tape - 12 rolls
- AA batteries - 40 pieces
- AAA batteries - 40 pieces

Tips

Plan course equipment by obstacle, not by event. Count every climbing net, rope ladder, tunnel, mat and straw bale needed at each station, then add a small replacement allowance for damaged or missing items.
Use enough cones and signs to make the route clear before the first runner starts. Mark turns, crossings and restricted areas separately so volunteers do not have to explain the course repeatedly.
Prepare one start-and-finish pack with number belts, finish tokens, medals, timing chips, stopwatches and whistles. Sort the start numbers by group at least one day before the run.
Provide a safe surface wherever people land, climb down or pass through an obstacle. Rubber mats and fall mats should be placed before the safety check, not while participants are already waiting.
Count power equipment before delivery: mobile sound equipment, microphones, speakers, extension cables and power strips must reach the start and finish zones. Test the full setup at least 2 hours before the first start group.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an obstacle run?: You need obstacle equipment such as climbing nets, rope ladders, crawl tunnels, mud pits and straw bales, plus cones, mats, start numbers, timing equipment and finish tokens. Add tents, tables, sound equipment, first-aid supplies, food and drinks for the event zones.
How much water and drinks do I need for an obstacle run?: Allow at least 2 drinks per participant for the first hour, then add 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Increase the amount for hot weather and keep extra drinks available for volunteers and first-aid staff.
When should I prepare the obstacle run equipment?: Check deliveries and missing materials at least 2 days before the event. Set up and inspect the course before participants arrive, with the final safety check completed after every obstacle is in its planned position.
How many cones do I need for an obstacle run?: The number depends on the route, but plan cones for every turn, crossing, start and finish boundary, plus restricted areas. Count them from the course map and keep at least 10% extra for replacements or unclear sections.

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