Triathlon shopping list: what to buy and bring

A triathlon needs more than bikes, swimwear and running shoes. This shopping list covers the practical supplies around the course, from swim caps, buoys and rescue equipment to bike tools, race numbers, timing gear and finish-line materials. Plan quantities from your participant count, then add a small reserve for damaged equipment, late arrivals and changing weather. Items such as spare inner tubes, chilled drinks and working radios are easy to overlook until race morning.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Bicycle racksqty 80
Waste binsqty 12
Crowd barriersqty 60
Beer tablesqty 8

Sports equipment

Swimming buoysqty 12
Life ringsqty 8
Rescue linesqty 4
Conesqty 80
Course tapeqty 12
Bib numbersqty 150
Race bib strapsqty 150
Swim capsqty 150
Bike helmetsqty 10
Bottle holdersqty 10
Spare bike pumpsqty 4
Bike tool kitsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Traffic conesqty 40
Finish arch
Stage blocksqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 150
Sports towelsqty 30

Equipment

Time registration system
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Megaphonesqty 3
Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 4
Mobile chargersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Portable lightingqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 250
Reusable platesqty 180
Reusable cutleryqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Cooler cratesqty 6
Insulated dispensersqty 4
Storage binsqty 20
Food glovesqty 4

Decorations

Route signsqty 30
Start and finish signsqty 4
Directional signsqty 25
Barrier tapeqty 10
Flagsqty 30
Flagpolesqty 30

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lightsqty 12

Cleaning

Trash bagsqty 150
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Disinfectantqty 6
Toilet paperqty 48
Paper towelsqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 48 bottles
- Lemon sports drink - 120 bottles
- Orange sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Coffee beans - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Bananas - 18 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Oranges - 12 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Melons - 8 pieces
- Muesli bars - 180 pieces
- Energy gels - 180 pieces
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Margarine - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Pasta - 12 kilo
- Pesto - 12 jars
- Pasta sauce - 18 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Parmesan cheese - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian balls - 6 kilos
- Chicken breast - 8 kilos
- Vegetable broth - 4 packs
- Tomato soup - 12 liters
- Yogurt - 12 liters
- Granola - 5 kilos
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Salty crackers - 8 packs
- Nut mix - 6 kilos
- Raisins - 3 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate bars - 120 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Chicken burgers - 80 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Potato salad - 12 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 12 kilos
- Balsamic dressing - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Coffee filters - 4 packs
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rubber gloves - 8 pairs
- Toilet freshener - 6
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Fever compresses - 20 pieces
- Sports tape - 12 rolls
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- Anti-mosquito spray - 6 bottles

Tips

Prepare one swim cap and bib number for every participant, plus at least 5% extra for losses, printing errors or last-minute entries. Keep race bib straps together with the numbers so participants can change disciplines without damaging the bib.
For bike support, allow one spare pump and one bicycle tool kit per service point, with at least two spare inner tubes at each point. Check that the pumps and tools fit the bikes taking part before race day.
Place swim buoys, life rings and rescue lines where volunteers can reach them immediately, not inside a general equipment box. Count the safety equipment during setup and again before the first swimmer enters the water.
Use one radio for each key course position and keep at least two spare batteries or charged units available. A megaphone at the start and finish helps when radios cannot reach every volunteer.
Buy drinks for the full field plus volunteers and plan cooling time before the event. As a working estimate, provide 0.5 to 0.75 litres per participant for the event area, then increase this in hot weather or for a longer course.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a triathlon event?: For the event area, plan swim caps, buoys, life rings, rescue lines, cones, course tape, race bibs, bike helmets, pumps, tools, spare inner tubes, timing equipment, radios and megaphones. You will also need finish arch materials, medal ribbons, tables, waste bins and chilled drinks.
How many spare inner tubes should I buy for a triathlon?: Start with at least two spare inner tubes at every bike support point, then add one extra set for every 20 to 30 participants if the course is long or remote. Check the required tube sizes before ordering.
How much water and sports drink do I need for a triathlon?: For the event area, allow 0.5 to 0.75 litres per participant, including water and sports drink, plus volunteer supplies. Buy 20% extra when temperatures are high or when participants will wait a long time before and after racing.
When should I prepare the triathlon equipment?: Count and test technical and safety equipment at least 7 days before the event. Set up course markings, racks, tables and finish materials on the day before when possible, and chill drinks at least 6 hours before the start.

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