Ultramarathon shopping list: what to buy and bring

An ultramarathon needs more than race numbers and finish medals. You will need supplies for aid stations, route marking, registration, communications, medical support and changing areas at the start and finish. Plan quantities around the number of runners, volunteers and stations, then add a small reserve for damaged signs, lost safety pins and unexpected delays. This list helps you check the physical supplies before route inspection, shopping and station packing.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Folding tablesqty 16
Chairsqty 24
Bar stoolsqty 6
Luggage racksqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Bowlsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 16
Pliersqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 12
Water jugsqty 24
Thermos flasksqty 6
Handheld scannersqty 6
Power banksqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Megaphonesqty 3
Stopwatchesqty 6
Laptop
Printer

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 180
Safety pinsqty 400
Finisher medalsqty 180
Marking arrowsqty 250
Route tapeqty 12
Traffic conesqty 40
Crowd barriersqty 20
Headlampsqty 30
Reflective vestsqty 30
GPS trackersqty 20
Luggage tagsqty 200
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 40
Route mapsqty 220
Distance signsqty 20
Timing matsqty 2
Ropeqty 2

First aid

First aid kitsqty 6
AEDqty 2
Stretcher
Blanketsqty 12
Ice packsqty 30

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Broom setsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Still mineral water - 240 liters
- Sparkling mineral water - 60 liters
- Sports drink - 180 liters
- Cola - 30 liters
- Coke Zero - 20 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 35 kilos
- Apples - 25 kilos
- Oranges - 20 kilo
- Grapes - 12 kilos
- Dates - 8 kilos
- Raisins - 6 kilo
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- White bread - 12 loaves
- Wholegrain bread slices - 12 loaves
- Peanut butter - 6 jars
- Jam - 6 jars
- Honey - 3 jars
- Cheese slices - 6 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Energy bars - 500 pieces
- Energy gels - 500 pieces
- Electrolyte tablets - 300 pieces
- Salted crackers - 12 packs
- Pretzels - 8 bags
- Broth - 200 servings
- Instant noodles - 100 servings
- Yogurt - 12 liters
- Muesli - 6 kilo
- Ice cubes - 40 kilos
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant hand gel - 12 bottles
- Nitrile gloves - 400 pieces
- Bandages - 300 pieces
- Sterile gauze pads - 100 pieces
- Elastic bandages - 30 pieces
- Sports tape - 20 rolls
- Vaseline - 12 tubes

Tips

Plan one reusable cup or serving option for every runner at each aid station if cups are not being washed and returned. Keep extra bowls, serving spoons and tongs available because food stations become difficult to manage when one utensil is dropped or shared.
Prepare coolers and water jugs before race morning, and allocate at least one cooler or insulated container per station that needs chilled drinks. Use thermos flasks for hot drinks and label each container with its station and contents.
Allow two safety pins per bib number, plus at least 10% extra for replacements. Sort bib numbers in advance and keep a small reserve with the registration team rather than storing every number at the start line.
Mark the route with arrows and route tape at every decision point, then carry spare tape and arrows in a vehicle or with a route team. Traffic cones, crowd barriers and reflective vests should be placed where runners cross roads or where volunteers need to be visible.
Charge handheld scanners, GPS trackers, walkie-talkies and power banks the day before, and pack one power bank for each device that must operate for the full event. Test the megaphone, printer and stopwatch before volunteers arrive; these are easy to overlook until registration or the finish becomes busy.

Frequently asked questions

How many safety pins do I need for an ultramarathon?: Plan two safety pins per runner for the bib, then add at least 10% extra. For 100 runners, pack at least 220 pins so replacements are available for lost or damaged pins.
How much water should I buy for an ultramarathon?: Calculate water separately for runners, volunteers and medical support, using the expected number of people and the number of aid stations. Prepare each station before race day and keep reserve water in additional jugs or coolers rather than relying on a single delivery.
What equipment should I charge before an ultramarathon?: Charge handheld scanners, GPS trackers, walkie-talkies, power banks and any laptop used for registration or results at least 24 hours beforehand. Test every device again on the morning of the race and bring a spare power bank for each critical device.
When should I pack ultramarathon aid stations?: Pack station supplies after the route has been re-inspected and no later than the day before the race. Label every box by station, including drinks, food-service items, cups, waste supplies and communication equipment, so volunteers can unload without sorting on site.

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