20.4 C
New York
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

What to Prep, Pack & Carry to a Half Marathon


Ever marvel what you actually need to cowl 13.1 miles? Half marathon gear isn’t loopy, however having the proper issues could make a distinction.

The brand new gizmos, operating devices, sneakers, shirts and such that pop up on-line make it simple to overinvest. Although my checklist is now longer than after I first began operating, solely a few of it’s actually obligatory.

Within the week main as much as the race, taper mind can take over providing you with an excessive amount of time to assume and but probably not getting any particular planning accomplished!

Click on right here to get a PRINTABLE model of the half marathon guidelines to get you race prepared!

This half marathon gear checklist will break down all the pieces out of your race morning wants, to publish race sanity and all of the miles in between. Use it to ensure nothing is forgotten and also you’re in your option to a greater race!

What Gear Do You Want for a Half Marathon?

After 20 years of racing, I can inform you that it’s all the time price having somewhat greater than you want. My race packing checklist is roughly the identical whether or not I’m sticking native or travelling out of city!

Ensure you undergo your gear guidelines forward of time and get all the pieces packed earlier than so race morning runs easily!

Race Day Gear

Let’s begin with crucial checklist, what you’ll want for the race! Do you could have all of the fundamentals?

The checklist of the necessities you’ll want to (fairly actually!) make it by the race.  Per week earlier than your race, begin to put collectively a pile of all the pieces that you simply want. As you undergo your checklist and begin to pack it right into a bag you possibly can take away the additional stuff or hold it as a simply incase!

half marathon packing list

For every of those, I’ve linked to an article with a few of my favorites in case you might be nonetheless on the lookout for concepts.

Submit-Race Bag

Pack that post-race bag! Most races can have a gear test with a offered clear bag with the intention to be comfy for those who plan to hang around on the post-race festivities.

Right here’s some issues it’s possible you’ll need to throw in your post-race bag:

  • Flip flops/further sneakers
  • Dry garments
  • Cash/ID
  • Moist wipes
  • Cellphone (except you’re carrying it)
  • Snack (gotta refuel and it’s possible you’ll solely need to eat sure issues)
gear check
@charmcityrun

Further Gear for Climate Points

Test the climate and plan accordingly. It’s an uncontrollable on race day, however you possibly can all the time pack issues to at the very least be considerably comfy.

It may very well be below-freezing and even raining if you begin the race, and the solar could also be shining by the top of it so be sure you have all the pieces you want.

  • Mild weight rain jacket or operating jacket for different situations.
  • Lengthy sleeve shirt (that you simply don’t thoughts throwing away)
  • Working gloves
  • Throw away gloves (an previous pair of socks is nice to make use of)
  • Rain poncho/trash bag (good at the beginning line of a wet day, so at the very least you keep dry whereas standing round)
  • Warmth sheet (get these on Amazon or in case you have from a earlier race!)
  • Hat or visor (the very last thing you need to fear about is the solar or rain in your eyes!)
  • Plastic grocery luggage to throw over your sneakers
  • All Pure Sunscreen (much less burning and stinging)
  • Shoe cleats for snow
heat sheets half marathon
@laroadrunners

An additional shirt in your bag to put on to the beginning is preferable to waking up and discovering it’s 30 levels and you don’t have anything…then you definitely do issues like choose up gloves different folks discard (sure this occurred throughout the Las Vegas marathon!)

Throw away gear is ALWAYS in my bag now. If I don’t want it, no massive deal. However very massive deal to wish it and never have it.

I do know a few of these seem to be loopy extras for a half marathon guidelines, however that is years of expertise speaking!

Race Day Logistics

Generally, with the entire prep and packing, you neglect to go over the logistics of the day. Be certain to overview the race particulars beforehand so you understand precisely the place to be and when. Don’t add to race day nerves by being late to the beginning line!

  • Race day schedule of events- what time does the race begin, what time do you’ll want to be within the corral and many others.
  • Instructions to the beginning line
  • Meet up location at end (that is particularly vital within the probability that cell service doesn’t work!)
  • Gear test places

Time spent wanting on the particulars of the race and planning your post-race meet-up will assist to alleviate a ton of pointless stress!

Journey Race Should Haves

Travelling to your race? When you often can head to a retailer to purchase what you will have forgotten, you don’t need to need to stress! Whether or not flying or driving there’s some key objects that you simply’ll need to be sure you have with you.

It’s simple to neglect the little issues that in your half marathon checklist which are nonetheless tremendous vital to a terrific day.

  • Night time earlier than the race meal plan
  • Race morning breakfast (your tried and examined meals, don’t depend on it being out there there)
  • Bottled water (you have to drink whereas on the aircraft or within the automobile!)
  • Snacks so that you simply’re fueled and never hangry
  • Electrolyte drinks or electrolyte tablets
  • Headband or hat
  • Ear plugs (helps with sleep and cuts down on air journey depth)
  • Chargers (cellphone, earphones, watch and many others.)

Dealing with Final Minute Race Nerves

If you happen to’re to the purpose of on the lookout for your packing guidelines, then you definitely’ve achieved the majority of your half marathon coaching work. Now there are few key issues to assist guarantee you could have your finest race ever.

Every of the hyperlinks beneath is a full publish with information that will help you end this race out precisely the best way you need!

Taper the Proper Manner
Don’t attempt to cram in any final minute miles, observe your taper so that you simply’re feeling contemporary by race morning.

Race Day Etiquette
Not solely do you need to have a terrific race, however you need to be certain that everybody round you is having fun with it too. Discover out a number of the widespread points that throw folks off and keep away from them!

Handle Race Day Nerves
Put all that nervous pre-race power to work and harness it for a terrific day with the following pointers.

Race Day Tricks to PR
What you’ll want to learn about that pre-race pasta dinner and throw away garments to maintain your race day on monitor.

Half Marathon Tempo Chart
Discover your aim ending time and the typical per mile or per kilometer tempo you’ll want to maintain.

When you’ve nailed this race and also you’re prepared for a model new aim, checkout the Sub Two Hour Half Marathon Coaching Plan!

Different methods to attach with Amanda
Instagram Every day Enjoyable: RunToTheFinish

Fb Neighborhood Chatter: RunToTheFinishRunning_motivation_thumb

Signal As much as Obtain a Weekly E-newsletter with High Working Ideas



Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles