What you need for a swimming marathon

A swimming marathon needs more than lanes and a stopwatch. You need clearly marked race materials, reliable timing and scoring equipment, safety gear, and a practical setup for swimmers and volunteers. Plan refreshments around the number of participants and keep spare swim caps, goggles and towels available for problems on the day. This shopping list covers the equipment and supplies to have ready before registration, the race briefing and the first start.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Registration desk
Clothes racksqty 4
Waste binsqty 8
Beer tablesqty 4

Sports equipment

Swimming lanesqty 8
Starting blocksqty 8
Life ringsqty 6
Rescue linesqty 6
Rescue tubesqty 6
Stopwatchqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 8
Round countersqty 8
Swimming gogglesqty 12
Spare swim capsqty 20
Bib numbersqty 120
Medal ribbonsqty 120
Sports towelsqty 20
Drink bottlesqty 120
Dressing room binsqty 8
Waterproof scorecardsqty 150
Clipboardsqty 12
Markersqty 24
Conesqty 20
First aid kitqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Whistlesqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 20
Medalsqty 120
Reusable cupsqty 3

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Mobile chargersqty 6
Laptop
Printer
Payment terminalqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 8
Coolersqty 8
Hot platesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 150
Platesqty 150
Soup bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving spoonsqty 12
Coffee spoonsqty 80
Soup ladlesqty 100

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Bannersqty 6
Directional signsqty 20
Start sign
Finish sign

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 16
Thermos cupsqty 12
Soup kettlesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 60 bottles
- Isotonic sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemon - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 15 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Grapes - 10 kilos
- Oranges - 10 kilos
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 20 loaves
- White rolls - 150 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 150 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Young cheese - 6 kilo
- Aged cheese - 4 kilos
- Turkey breast - 4 kilos
- Ham - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 kilo
- Jam - 3 kilo
- Chocolate sprinkles - 2 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 kilos
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Rice cakes - 10 packs
- Dutch cookies - 120 pieces
- Yogurt - 12 liters
- Vanilla custard - 8 liter
- Granola - 4 kilo
- Vegetable soup - 30 liters
- Tomato soup - 20 liters
- Soup vegetables - 8 kilos
- Wholegrain soup sticks - 12 packs
- Herb cheese - 3 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Carrots - 8 kilos
- Bell peppers - 6 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Dressing - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant hand gel - 12 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Frozen ice - 20 kilos

Tips

Prepare one bib number, waterproof scorecard and registration record for every swimmer, plus at least 10% extra in case of damage or late changes.
Keep a complete spare set of swim caps and goggles at registration. A reserve of 5 to 10% of the expected field is usually enough for forgotten or broken equipment.
Set up at least one clearly marked first-aid point and place life rings, rescue lines and rescue tubes where safety staff can reach them without crossing the race area.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add water for the remaining event time. Put drinking water and refill points near the changing area and finish zone.
Bring one stopwatch, lap counters and a visible scoreboard for each active race area, and test the sound system, wireless microphones and extension cords before swimmers arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a swimming marathon?: You need swimming lanes, starting blocks, timing and scoring equipment, race numbers, waterproof scorecards, clipboards and markers. Also prepare safety equipment, drink bottles, towels, spare caps and goggles, registration furniture and waste bins.
How many spare swim caps and goggles do I need?: Plan spare equipment for 5 to 10% of the registered swimmers. For 100 swimmers, that means 5 to 10 extra caps and goggles, depending on whether participants bring their own equipment.
How much water and refreshments do I need for a swimming marathon?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then calculate additional water for every later hour. Add snacks according to the number of swimmers, volunteers and staff rather than counting swimmers alone.
When should I prepare the swimming marathon supplies?: Check the full inventory at least 7 days before the event and complete shopping by 2 to 3 days beforehand. Cool drinks, pack registration materials and test the timing and sound equipment on the day before the first start.

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