What you need for a trail marathon

A trail marathon needs more than race numbers and medals. You need supplies for registration, route marking, water stations, timing, communication and a safe finish area. Plan quantities from your final starting list, then add a small buffer for late entries and replacements. Check weather and access conditions before buying perishables or hiring equipment, and arrange anything rented or printed several weeks before race day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Registration tablesqty 4
Catering tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 12
Coat racksqty 3

Sports equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Route arrowsqty 120
Kilometer markersqty 43
Barrier tapeqty 12
Bib numbersqty 350
Race bib strapsqty 350
Finish medalsqty 350
Starting area barriersqty 20
Crowd barriersqty 30
Course tapeqty 20
Collapsible water bowlsqty 10
Water bottle cratesqty 20
Clipboardsqty 15
Pensqty 50
Whistlesqty 20

Equipment

Time registration system
Laptopqty 2
Tabletsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 20
Mobile phonesqty 6
Mobile sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 8
Charging cablesqty 12

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Headlampsqty 20

First aid

First aid kitsqty 4
Thermal blanketsqty 30
Ice packsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100
Bandagesqty 200
Athletic tapeqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Reusable platesqty 350
Reusable cutleryqty 400
Coffee cupsqty 150
Thermos flasksqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 12
Coolersqty 8
Serving jugsqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 6
Serving traysqty 12
Food containersqty 20

Cleaning

Trash bag holdersqty 12
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Disinfectantqty 4

Administration

Participant listsqty 20
Route mapsqty 400
Volunteer badgesqty 50
Pen holdersqty 8
Wristbandsqty 400

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 300 liters
- Sparkling water - 60 liters
- Sports drink - 120 liters
- Cola - 30 liters
- Coke Zero - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Apple juice - 15 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 120 bottles
- Coffee - 3 kilos
- Tea - 300 bags
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweetener - 300 pieces
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 35 kilos
- Apples - 25 kilos
- Oranges - 20 kilo
- Grapes - 12 kilos
- Dates - 8 kilos
- Raisins - 5 kilos
- Muesli bars - 500 pieces
- Energy bars - 400 pieces
- Gels - 400 pieces
- Raisin buns - 350 pieces
- White rolls - 350 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 250 pieces
- Hummus - 8 kilos
- Young cheese - 8 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 6 kilo
- Peanut butter - 5 jars
- Jam - 5 jars
- Butter - 4 kilos
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 kilos
- Chives - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 35 kilos
- Red pesto - 4 kilos
- Green pesto - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian pasta sauce - 12 liters
- Tomato sauce - 12 liters
- Pasta - 25 kilos
- Rice - 15 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 180 pieces
- Chicken burgers - 180 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 400 pieces
- Fries - 35 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 5 liter
- Ketchup - 5 liter
- Mustard - 3 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Paprika chips - 8 kilos
- Plain chips - 8 kilos
- Nut mix - 6 kilos
- Snacks - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 8 kilos
- Chocolate bars - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 300 pieces
- Gluten-free sandwich rolls - 30 pieces
- Lactose-free sandwich fillings - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 2500 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 5 liters
- Dishwasher tablets - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 8 liters
- Hand sanitizer gel - 8 liters
- Cleaning wipes - 100 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 20 pairs
- Plastic wrap for bins - 2 rolls
- Tissues - 30 packs
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles

Tips

Order one bib number and one race bib strap per registered runner, plus at least 5% extra for late entries, damaged numbers and registration changes. Keep the numbers sorted by start-list order so collection takes minutes rather than hours.
For each water station, prepare separate crates for water, cups or bottles, waste collection and restocking. Place collapsible water bowls where dogs may accompany runners, and assign a volunteer to check every station at least once per hour.
Use enough route arrows and kilometre markers to cover every junction, turn and confusing section of the course. Pack extra barrier tape and course tape in a vehicle so a missing sign or damaged marking can be replaced during the race.
Set aside one registration table, clipboard and pen for every busy check-in queue, then keep spare pens and printed start lists at the same location. Charge the laptop, tablets, mobile phones and walkie-talkies the evening before, not on race morning.
Prepare the finish area with a medal for every expected finisher and a small reserve. Keep the microphone, mobile sound system, finish arch and time registration system protected from rain, with a covered backup table available for the finish team.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a trail marathon?: Plan race numbers and straps, finish medals, route arrows, kilometre markers, barrier or course tape, water-station supplies, waste bins, first-aid supplies, timing equipment and communication devices. The exact quantities depend on the final participant list and the number of water stations.
How many extra race bibs and medals do I need?: Order at least 5% extra bib numbers and straps for late registrations or damaged items. For medals, one per expected finisher plus 2–5% reserve is a practical buffer.
How much water do I need for a trail marathon?: Estimate the number of runners passing each station, the station spacing and the expected temperature before ordering. As a starting point, prepare at least 500 ml per runner per station, then add 20% reserve for warm weather and slower runners.
When should I order trail marathon supplies?: Order printed bibs, medals, route signs and rented equipment at least 3–4 weeks before race day. Buy drinks and other perishable groceries closer to the event, after checking the weather forecast and confirmed participant numbers.

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