Half marathon checklist: Race-day essentials & what to bring to the start line

If you have an upcoming half-marathon race, you need to make sure you have all the essentials with you – especially if you’ll be traveling to another city or country to race. To help you prepare and ease the pre-race stress, we’ve created a half-marathon checklist in the form of a PDF you can download and print. 

Obviously, the things you’ll need depend on plenty of factors, such as the weather, the type of race, your own preferences, and whether you’re traveling, but we’ve made sure to cover all those scenarios. 

Below, you’ll find the PDF, and under it, detailed info about each item.

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Your half-marathon checklist for a smooth race

To reduce race-day anxiety, it’s a good idea to prepare everything you need for your half-marathon in advance. 

Let’s now see why each item is important – and what’s simply a matter of a personal preference.

The essentials for your half-marathon race

Let’s first look at the basics, without which you wouldn’t be able to take part in your race.

• Shoes: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Make sure you’re running in shoes that are tried and tested on longer distances and not a new pair, even if you already have experience with the same model.
• Running tights or shorts: Pick moisture-wicking tights or shorts that feel comfortable and don’t restrict your movement. Again, opt for a pair that you’ve already run in during your training. 
• Running top: Pick a long-sleeved shirt or a t-shirt based on the weather. Remember that you’ll feel warmer during your race, so make sure you don’t overheat. You can bring an old throw-away layer to the startline that you can take off just before your start – most races have charity clothing donation policies for these. 
• Running socks: Opt for moisture-wicking running socks that are comfortable to run in. Compression socks might be a good idea.
• Comfortable underwear/sports bra: Running in uncomfortable underwear is a torture for any runner, and especially for longer races. Chafing is a real risk. 
• Sunscreen: Even on a cloudy day, sunscreen is always a good idea – 21 km is a lot and you don’t want to get a nasty sunburn.
• Hairband: That’s a key item if you need to tie up your hair to keep it out of your face or off your neck in the race.
• ID: If you need an ID to get your race bib, remember to take it with you to the race bib collection point. 
• Race bib: No bib, no race. Make sure you take your bib and timing chip with you.
• Safety pins: On some races, you’ll be able to get safety pins from the organizers on the start line, but it’s best to have them with you.
• Hydration: Most races in cities have a few hydration stations each 5 or 10 km, but if you’re running in nature, you might need to plan for your own hydration. 
• Smart watch or phone: Make sure you take your smart watch or mobile phone with you to keep an eye on your pace and make sure you’re sticking to your race strategy.
• Directions to the start line: On the day before, check where exactly the start line is and how to get there. 
• Pre-race breakfast: Ideally, eat a carb-heavy breakfast 2-3 hours before the start of the race. 

Weather-related items

The items below will depend on the weather. Make sure you check the forecast and prepare for the right weather conditions. 

• Rain poncho or trash bag: If you’re expecting chilly or rainy weather on the race day, a single-use rain poncho or a trash bag might be sufficient to keep you warm and dry.
• Running jacket: For colder-weather races, a running jacket might be necessary.
• Sunglasses: If you’re carrying sunglasses, make sure you’ve already tried doing a longer run with them.
• Running cap or a headband: Protect your head and ears from the sun or the cold weather with a cap or a headband.
• Running gloves: Running in cold weather? A light pair of running gloves could make your experience much more comfortable.

Optional race gear

The below items aren’t essential, but you might find them necessary to have a good race:

• Headphones or earbuds: Some runners like to have pace cues, listen to music or even a running podcast on longer races. If you need ideas, check out Runna’s podcast on Spotify or Apple! Not all races allow headphones, so check whether yours does.
• Fuel (f.e. energy gels or bars): To keep you energized and reduce the risk of hitting the wall in the latter parts of the race, it’s important to fuel regularly throughout it. Depending on the fuel options provided during the race, you might want to bring your own. 
• Vaseline or Body Glide: If your skin is prone to chafing, vaseline or Body Glide might be a necessary addition. 
• Band-aids (plasters): If you get blisters easily, you might want to carry a few band-aids with you.
• Gear check bag: If you’re checking your personal belongings at the race, make sure you carry a bag for that purpose. Some races only accept official race bags.
• Running backpack or belt: If you’ll be carrying some of your personal items with you (keys, phone, hydration) a running backpack or a belt might be helpful.

Your post-race kit

After you cross the finish line, there are a few things that will help you have a positive post-race experience – and we don’t mean the huge lunch you’re probably going to get. Here are some post-race essentials you’ll probably thank yourself for bringing: 

• Post-race snacks: Some races provide those, but if yours doesn’t (or you aren’t sure), you might want to take a banana and a protein bar with you… Or whatever you like eating after a race!
• A change of clothes: Changing into clean, dry clothes as soon as you can will help you feel much more comfortable after the race. Don’t forget clean socks!
• A towel: If you’re able to take a shower right after (or even if you aren’t), take a towel to dry yourself off. 
• Wet wipes: If there are no showers at the race, wet wipes are the second best thing you can get. 
• Deodorant: Make sure you pack one to freshen up for the transition to your post-race celebrations.
• Foam roller or a massage ball: A foam roller can be very helpful for releasing tension in your muscles, along with a nice post-race stretch. Foam rollers can be rather cumbersome, however, so if you don’t want to carry one with you, a massage ball is a good alternative.
• Comfortable shoes: Change into another pair of shoes or slippers if you can. Your feet will appreciate it! 
• Money/bank card/driving license: You probably didn’t carry those with you during the race – but they might be essential for getting home quickly. 

Don’t leave race-day preparations for the last minute

With the day of your race approaching, make sure you have everything ready – and that you’re not leaving anything to chance. This way, you’ll be able to focus on your performance and enjoy the race. After months of training for your half marathon, now is the time to see the results of all your hard work and set a new PR. 

But for this, preparing all the essentials beforehand is key. This includes comfortable clothes and shoes that you’ve used for long runs, the right nutrition pre- and post-race, your bib, and all the weather-related gear you might need. 

And, if you’d like to prepare for your next race with a customized, structured training plan, check out our half-marathon and marathon training plans.