What you need for a walking competition
A walking competition needs more than route maps and participant numbers. You will need clear markers at every turn, visible equipment for volunteers, timing supplies, and materials for a safe start and finish area. Plan refreshments and chilled drinks early, especially if the route has checkpoints. This shopping list also covers the items that are easy to overlook, such as spare pens, safety pins, batteries or lighting, and bags for checkpoint materials.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Foldable tablesqty 8
- Folding chairsqty 40
- Bar stoolsqty 4
- Tableclothsqty 8
Sports equipment
- Route arrowsqty 120
- Marker ribbonsqty 12
- Route conesqty 30
- Bib numbersqty 200
- Safety pinsqty 400
- Medal ribbonsqty 180
- Medalsqty 180
- Prizesqty 6
- Stopwatchesqty 4
- Clipboardsqty 12
- Pensqty 30
- Pencil sharpenersqty 4
- Calculatorsqty 2
- Route mapsqty 220
- Start and finish bannersqty 2
- Crowd control barriersqty 12
- Traffic conesqty 20
- Safety vestsqty 25
- Walkie-talkiesqty 10
- Whistlesqty 12
- Flashlightsqty 12
- Rain umbrellasqty 10
- Cratesqty 20
- Bags for route checkpointsqty 12
Equipment
- Sound system
- Wireless microphonesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 6
- Batteriesqty 40
- Mobile chargersqty 6
- Coolersqty 6
- Thermos flasksqty 8
- Kettlesqty 3
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 250
- Platesqty 220
- Cutlery setsqty 220
- Coffee cupsqty 100
- Serving traysqty 8
- Water jugsqty 12
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Paring knivesqty 4
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Measuring cupsqty 3
- Cooler elementsqty 20
Safety
- First aid kitsqty 3
- Emergency blanketsqty 20
- Disposable glovesqty 100
- Hand sanitizerqty 8
- Tissuesqty 20
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 10
- Light Stripsqty 4
Decorations
- Buntingqty 8
- Directional signsqty 20
- Info boardsqty 8
- Chalkboardsqty 4
Cleaning
- Broomqty 3
- Trash binsqty 12
- Cleaning bucketsqty 3
- Mopsqty 3
- Cleaning spongesqty 12
- Litter pickersqty 4
- Towelsqty 20
Catering
- Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Bananas - 180 pieces
- Apples - 180 pieces
- Oranges - 100 pieces
- Grapes - 12 kilos
- Muesli bars - 220 pieces
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White bread - 4 loaves
- Wholemeal rolls - 120 pieces
- Cheese - 4 kilos
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 300 pieces
Tips
- Buy route arrows, marker ribbons, cones and barriers according to the route plan, then add spare markers for damaged or missing signs. Check every turn and crossing before participants arrive.
- Prepare one bib number and at least two safety pins per participant, plus extra pins for replacements. Keep the numbers, participant list, pens and clipboards together at registration.
- Give each route volunteer a safety vest and a reliable way to communicate. For a spread-out route, prepare walkie-talkies, whistles and flashlights where visibility or phone coverage may be limited.
- Count medals, medal ribbons and prizes against the confirmed participant list, then pack them by category before the event. Labels and spare packing materials are often forgotten until the finish area is being set up.
- Keep drinks and other chilled goods cold until they are needed, using crates and checkpoint bags to divide supplies by location. Set aside enough tables, chairs, a sound system and weather protection for the start and finish area.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need for a walking competition?
- You need route arrows, marker ribbons, cones, bib numbers, safety pins, route maps, stopwatches, clipboards and pens. Also prepare safety vests, communication equipment, medals or prizes, drinks and equipment for the start and finish area.
- How many safety pins do I need per walker?
- Plan on 2 safety pins per participant, so a group of 50 walkers needs at least 100 pins. Buy or bring 10 to 15% extra for lost or damaged pins.
- How many route markers should I buy?
- Use the route plan to count every turn, crossing and checkpoint, then add at least 10% spare arrows, ribbons or cones. A 10-kilometre route with 30 marked points therefore needs about 33 markers, depending on the type used.
- When should I buy supplies for a walking competition?
- Buy durable route and registration materials at least 1 to 2 weeks before the event. Arrange drinks and other chilled goods 1 to 2 days beforehand, and check the complete shopping list before the final route check.
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