What to Buy for a Time Trial

A time trial needs more than a start line and a stopwatch. You need clear course marking, participant identification, reliable timing, safety equipment and a practical setup at registration and the finish. Plan supplies by participant numbers, volunteer stations and course length, then add spares for items that can be lost or damaged. This list covers the equipment and consumables to buy or bring for a smooth race day.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 30
Registration tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 180
Safety pinsqty 400
Conesqty 40
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Route arrowsqty 80
Kilometer markersqty 15
Starting ribbon
Finisher medalsqty 180
Pedometersqty 4
Stopwatchesqty 6
Disposable cupsqty 600
Coolersqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Megaphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Laptop
Printer

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 200
Reusable bowlsqty 80
Reusable cupsqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 200
Coffee cupsqty 100

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Pliersqty 6
Ice packsqty 30

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Dustpans and brushesqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Toilet paperqty 24
Hand soapqty 4
Disinfecting gelqty 6

First aid

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100
Cooling packs for first aidqty 12

Decorations

Bannersqty 6
Buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Stage ribbonqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Still water - 120 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 liters
- Cola - 24 liters
- Cola Zero - 24 liters
- Orange Soda - 12 liter
- Isotonic sports drink - 36 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Ginger beer - 6 liters
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Bananas - 180 pieces
- Apples - 180 pieces
- Mandarins - 10 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Dates - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 200 pieces
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 180 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian wraps - 120 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 120 pieces
- Falafel - 4 kilos
- Feta - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Chocolate cookies - 8 packs
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Party snacks - 4 kilos
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Ice pops - 200 pieces
- Lemonade - 12 liters
- Oranges - 8 kilo
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes

Tips

Prepare one bib number and at least two safety pins per participant, plus 10% extra for replacements and last-minute registrations. Keep the numbers sorted before registration opens.
Use one stopwatch or timing device at the start and finish, with a spare if accurate results matter. Charge the laptop, printer, power banks and any other electronic equipment the night before.
Place course arrows and cones at every turn, junction and hazard, then add kilometer markers at consistent distances. Pack extra markers because signs can move or disappear during setup.
Plan refreshments by headcount: allow at least one disposable cup per participant and volunteer, then add 20% extra. Keep coolers close to the finish rather than at registration.
Count tables and chairs by station, not just by total attendance. Registration, timing, refreshments and the finish each need a usable surface, while tents, LED lamps and flashlights cover changing weather and low light.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a time trial race?: Bring bib numbers, safety pins, stopwatches, cones, route arrows, kilometer markers and a starting ribbon. Also plan tables, chairs, waste bins, refreshments, communication equipment and power supplies for registration, course stations and the finish.
How many safety pins do I need for a time trial?: Allow 2 safety pins per participant, so 200 pins for 100 entrants. Add at least 10% extra, bringing the total to 220 pins, because pins are easily dropped or forgotten.
How many cups should I buy for a time trial?: Allow 1 cup per participant and volunteer, then add 20% spare capacity. For 100 participants and 10 volunteers, that means at least 132 disposable cups.
When should I prepare the time trial equipment?: Sort bib numbers, course signs and timing equipment at least 1 day before the event. Check the route, test the printer and charge electronic equipment again on race morning, ideally 2 hours before registration.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.