What to buy for a triathlon

A triathlon needs more than swim, bike and run equipment. You also need clearly marked routes, a controlled swim area, participant identification and supplies for volunteers and safety teams. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from spare inner tubes and bike pumps to wristbands, route arrows and battery lamps. Check quantities against your participant list, volunteer roster and course layout before placing orders.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Start arch
Finish arch
Bicycle Racksqty 80

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 150
Swim capsqty 150
Wristbandsqty 150
Marker conesqty 60
Route arrowsqty 80
Ribbonsqty 20
Traffic conesqty 80
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Nub matsqty 20
Stage blocksqty 3
Medalsqty 150
Starter pistol
Stopwatchesqty 6
Life ringsqty 4
Rescue linesqty 4
Paddlesqty 4
Inflatable buoysqty 10
Bike pumpsqty 4
Tool setsqty 4
Spare inner tubesqty 20
Bicycle standsqty 10

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 15
Battery lampsqty 12
Sound system
Microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging stationsqty 3
Megaphonesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Water jugsqty 12
Scissorsqty 6
Utility knivesqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Storage binsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Work lightsqty 6

Decorations

Route signsqty 40
Info boardsqty 8
Marker tapeqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 300 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Lemon sports drink - 120 bottles
- Orange sports drink - 120 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 180 pieces
- Apples - 150 pieces
- Pears - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 12 kilos
- Oranges - 80 pieces
- Dates - 6 kilos
- Muesli bars - 180 pieces
- Energy gels - 180 pieces
- Raisins - 4 kilos
- Currant buns - 120 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 80 pieces
- Herb cream cheese - 4 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Turkey breast - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Wholegrain biscuits - 8 packs
- Muffins - 120 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable gloves - 4 boxes
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 12 bottles
- Toilet blocks - 12 pieces
- Tissues - 12 boxes
- Bandages - 6 boxes
- Sterile gauze pads - 6 boxes
- Bandages - 6 packs
- Disinfectant wipes - 10 packs
- Disposable gloves - 6 boxes
- Cooling packs - 40 pieces
- Sunscreen - 12 bottles
- After-sun lotion - 4 bottles
- Safety pins - 300 pieces
- Waterproof markers - 20 pieces
- AA batteries - 40 pieces
- AAA batteries - 40 pieces

Tips

Prepare one bib number, swim cap and wristband for every participant, plus a small reserve for damaged or missing items. Keep the reserve separate from the starter packs.
Plan bike support before race day: have at least one bike pump, a tool set and spare inner tubes at the transition area, with additional sets if the course is spread out.
Mark the swim course and safety points with inflatable buoys, life rings and rescue lines. Check the swimming area and confirm that every water-safety position has the required equipment before setup.
Count route arrows, marker cones, traffic cones and barriers by location rather than buying one mixed batch. Include extra signs for turns, crossings and the approach to the finish area.
Charge and test walkie-talkies and battery lamps at least one day before the event. Allocate one radio to each key area and keep spare batteries available for the full operating period.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a triathlon event?: For the race itself, plan swim caps, bib numbers, wristbands, inflatable buoys, bike pumps, tool sets, spare inner tubes, stopwatches and safety equipment such as life rings and rescue lines. Add route arrows, cones and barriers according to the course layout.
How many swim caps and race numbers should I buy?: Buy one swim cap, bib number and wristband per registered participant, then add a reserve of around 5% for replacements. Review the final participant list 3 to 5 days before the race and adjust the order if needed.
What safety equipment is needed for the swimming section?: Provide inflatable buoys to mark the course, plus life rings and rescue lines at the designated safety points. Confirm the number and position of these items during the site visit and no later than 7 days before race day.
When should I prepare the triathlon shopping list?: Start the list at least 4 weeks before the event, especially for bib numbers, medals, arches, barriers and signage. Recheck quantities 3 to 5 days before the race after registrations and volunteer assignments are final.

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.