What you need for a tunnel run

A tunnel run needs more than race numbers and water. You need equipment for registration, route marking, timing, communication, lighting and first aid, especially if parts of the route are dark or difficult to access. This shopping list covers the practical items for the start and finish area, participant packs and volunteer teams. Check quantities against your registration total, route length and number of access points before buying or borrowing anything.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Registration tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 30
Coat racksqty 3

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 200
Safety pinsqty 400
Finisher medalsqty 200
Start and finish ribbonsqty 4
Water cupsqty 500
Water pitchersqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 6
Time registration system
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 40
Marking tapeqty 6
Conesqty 40
Traffic conesqty 40

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Mobile phone chargersqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Megaphone
Laptopsqty 2
Label printer

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 20
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 10
Batteriesqty 40

Decorations

Route signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Plate holdersqty 20

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Serving Cupsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 200 bottles
- Sports Drink - 100 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Young cheese - 4 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Bananas - 12 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 200 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan water for the full field, not just the start area. As a working estimate, allow one cup per runner at the finish plus extra pitchers and cups for volunteers and delays.
Prepare one race number and at least two safety pins per participant, then add a small spare batch for damaged or missing numbers. Keep the numbers sorted before registration opens.
Give each key volunteer team a charged walkie-talkie or phone and provide at least one power bank per team. Charge batteries and power banks the day before, not during setup.
Treat lighting and power as route equipment. Count LED work lights and extension cords by tunnel section, and keep spare power strips available for the registration and timing tables.
Pack first aid kits and emergency blankets where volunteers can reach them quickly, rather than leaving everything at the start. Keep a printed emergency contact list with the safety team and registration desk.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a tunnel run?: Start with one cup per participant at the finish, then add extra for volunteers, warm weather and delays. For 100 runners, that means at least 100 finish-line cups plus reserve cups and enough pitchers to refill the station.
How many race numbers and safety pins should I buy?: Buy one bib number per registered runner and at least two safety pins per number. Add roughly 5–10% spare bibs and pins so late changes, damaged numbers and replacements do not disrupt registration.
How many walkie-talkies are needed for a tunnel run?: Provide one walkie-talkie for each essential position or mobile team, such as the start, finish, route entrances and safety lead. For a small event, plan on at least 4–6 units and test their range in the tunnel before race day.
When should I prepare the tunnel run equipment?: Sort and label materials at least one day before the run. Charge stopwatches, phones, power banks and lighting batteries the night before, and complete a final equipment check 2–3 hours before participants arrive.

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