Running race shopping list

A running race needs more than a start line and a finish ribbon. You will need participant supplies, course-marking equipment, water, timing backups and enough furniture for registration and the finish area. Buy or borrow disposable items early, especially bib numbers, medals, tape and drinking cups. Use the number of registered runners as your base, then add a small reserve for late entries, damaged items and volunteers working on the course.

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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
Beer tablesqty 4
Start arch
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 250
Start number bandsqty 250
Participant medalsqty 220
Trophiesqty 12
Course signsqty 35
Directional signsqty 45
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 40
Start line ribbonqty 2
Finish ribbonqty 2
Route conesqty 30
Time registration system
Spare stopwatchesqty 3
Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Rolls of tapeqty 10
Coolersqty 6
Drinking water jerry cansqty 8
Reusable drinking cupsqty 400
Stopwatchesqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Ice packsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 2
Microphone
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Megaphonesqty 3
Mobile chargersqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Battery lanternsqty 6

Tableware

Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee cupsqty 250
Paper platesqty 250
Wooden cutlery setsqty 250

Catering

Coolersqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Water jugsqty 8
Groceries
- Still mineral water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 36 bottles
- Sports drink - 48 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon slices - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 packs
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 250 pieces
- Nut bars - 100 pieces
- Biscuits - 8 packs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 24 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Teaspoons - 250 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper drinking cups - 300 pieces
- Napkins for fruit - 300 pieces
- Disposable rain ponchos - 30 pieces
- Sunscreen - 8 bottles
- Tissues - 12 boxes
- Bandages - 6 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 6 boxes
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 boxes

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Scissorsqty 6
Storage boxesqty 12
Kettlesqty 2

Cleaning

Trash bag holdersqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Toilet paper holdersqty 4

Tips

Prepare one bib number and one bib number strap for every registered runner, then add 5–10% extra. Sort the numbers before race day so registration volunteers can hand them out without searching.
Plan drinking water by course length and weather. For a warm race, allow roughly 250–500 ml per participant at the finish, plus extra water for volunteers and runners who need a drink on the course.
Buy one participant medal for every expected finisher and keep at least 5% extra. Medals are easy to forget until the final week, when replacing a short order may no longer be possible.
Mark the route with more signs, cones and tape than your first estimate suggests. At minimum, place a direction sign at every turn and add backup tape and cones for damaged or moved markers.
Pack a separate timing and admin kit: the timing system, reserve chronometers or stopwatches, clipboards, pens and extension cords. Test the equipment at least one day before the race and keep the backups at the finish area.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a running race?: Plan supplies for registration, the course, timing, hydration and the finish area. Typical items include bib numbers, straps, medals, route and arrow signs, cones, barriers, water containers, reusable cups, clipboards, pens and timing equipment.
How many running race medals should I order?: Order one medal for each expected finisher plus 5–10% extra. For 100 runners, that means at least 105 medals, with 110 giving you more room for damaged items or late entries.
How much water do I need for a running race?: For a warm event, allow about 250–500 ml per participant at the finish, then add water for volunteers and any on-course station. For 100 runners, prepare at least 25–50 litres for finish-line drinking alone.
When should I buy supplies for a running race?: Order bib numbers, medals, trophies and printed signs at least 3–4 weeks before race day. Check the quantities one week before the event and buy consumables such as water, cups, tape and pens during the final few days.

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