The Ultimate Race Day Checklist

This guide covers everything you need for race day, from your kit and what to lay out the night before to what to keep in your bag for after you finish.

What to expect on race day

If you’re getting ready for your first race, here’s a quick idea of what to expect when you get there. If you’ve raced before and you’re just here for the checklist, feel free to skip ahead.

Aim to arrive around an hour before the start, or earlier if the organiser recommends it. That gives you time to find the bag drop, use the toilets and get to the right start area without rushing. At bigger events, you may be assigned a start pen based on your predicted finish time, and it can take several minutes to cross the start line once the race begins.

Then comes the good bit. There’s a real buzz to standing on a start line with hundreds or thousands of other people, hearing the countdown and finally getting to put all that training to use. There’ll be marshals and signs to guide you around the course, water stations along the way and, at the end, a finish line with your name on it. Don’t be surprised if you’re already thinking about the next one by the time you’ve collected your medal.

Race day checklist

The night before

The last thing you need on race morning is to waste time hunting for safety pins or trying to find that one pair of lucky socks. Try to get everything ready the night before, so all you have to do when you wake up is get dressed, eat breakfast, and go.

• Lay out your race kit. Put the clothes you're planning to wear together somewhere, ready to put on.
• Attach your race bib. Pin your bib to your top the night before. It's much easier to do this before you put the top on!
  
• Put your shoes by the door. Now's not the time to try a brand-new pair of trainers. Wear shoes you've trained in before and know are comfortable.
  
• Pack your bag. Include anything you might need before, during, or after the race, such as gels, a water bottle, hair ties, tissues, a snack, plasters, sun cream and sunglasses. Decide whether you need to bring spare clothes to change into.
  
• Save important race information. Check your start time, directions, and any bib collection info. Make sure you can access it without having to rely on a phone signal.
  
• Charge your electronics. Before you go to sleep, put your phone, smartwatch/fitness tracker, and headphones on charge.
  
• Plan breakfast and set your alarm. Know what you're going to eat before you go and when you need to get up.
  

Crucially, remember the golden rule of racing: nothing new on race day!

If you're running a half marathon, check out our distance-specific kit guide here.

On race morning

Once you’re dressed and ready to get going, do a final check of everything you’ll need during the race.

• Your race kit. Make sure you're wearing everything you laid out the night before and that it's still appropriate for the day's forecast.
• An old top or throwaway layer. If it's going to be cold, you might want to bring an extra layer to keep you warm that you can shed at the start line.
  
• Your running watch/fitness tracker. Check you're wearing it before you leave the house.
  
• Any fuel you'll need. Decide in advance how you'll carry gels or other fuel. It's a good idea to bring a snack or two for after the race too.
  
• Headphones. If you're used to listening to music while running, going without it can be grim. Check the race rules beforehand to make sure your headphones are allowed; many races only allow open-ear headphones like Shokz.
  
• ID (if you still need to collect your bib). Check the organiser's instructions for what you need to bring.
  
• Water. Bring a bottle to sip before the race; there might not be any available at the start.
  

In your kit bag

You’ll be glad you thought ahead and packed these things.

• Dry clothes. If you expect to get rained on or the race is long, it's worth packing comfortable, warm clothes to change into. A cold, damp race kit gets pretty uncomfortable once you stop running.
• Comfortable shoes. A short-ish race might not require a shoe change afterwards, but a marathon definitely does. Bring the comfiest pair of shoes you own.
  
• Something to eat. Snacks are handed out at the finish line of some races, but not all of them. Bring something along like a banana or a protein bar, and choose something you'll really look forward to.
  
• Wet wipes and/or a small towel. Especially after a rainy or muddy race!
  
• Packet of tissues. The queues for the toilets will inevitably massive, and by the time you get to the front, there might not be any toilet paper. Bring tissues.
  
• Your essentials. Phone, keys, money, that kind of thing. A portable charger if your phone's likely to die.
  

Adjusting for the weather

Check the weather before you pack your bag and one final time before you head out of the door. We all know how quickly it changes in the UK! If it’s going to be very cold, consider packing gloves and a hat. A base layer or arm sleeves might also come in handy, but only if you’ve worn them comfortably in training. An extra old jumper or other throwaway layer will also make waiting at the start much more pleasant.

For a hot race, the usual culprits will come in handy: a hat, sunglasses, sun cream. You’ll need to think more carefully about hydration, too, especially for a longer race.

Waiting around at the start or finish can be absolutely miserable when it’s raining, so take a waterproof jacket and pack a little towel for afterwards. It’s a good idea to put your post-race clothes inside a plastic bag to make sure they stay dry no matter what.

What to leave at home

Packing for a race is at least partly about knowing what you won’t need and shouldn’t bring.

• Anything new. Seriously. Ditch anything you haven't tried before, no matter how minor it might seem. Don't even try a new pair of socks.
• Valuables you don't need. Leave anything valuable you don't need at home, rather than at the bag drop.
  
• Cotton layers. Cotton holds sweat and can actually make you feel colder while you're waiting around. A technical top is a much better option.
  
• A big bag. Some races restrict bag size or what you can leave at the bag drop.

How does the checklist change by distance?

The shorter the race, the less you’ll need to bring. You won’t usually need to fuel mid-race for a 5k or a 10k, but once you work up to a half marathon and beyond, it’s a different story. Likewise, you might not need to bring spare clothes or a change of shoes after a shorter race, but you’ll be glad you did after a marathon. For more detailed advice on fuelling, take a look at our running nutrition guide.

Ready to book your next race?

Now you know what to pack, there’s just one thing missing…the race itself!

Browse thousands of events across the UK on Find a Race, from local races close to home to a new challenge somewhere you’ve never run before. If you already know what distance you’re looking for, head straight to our 5k, 10k, half marathon or marathon listings to find your next start line.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at a race?

Most race organisers will send you information before the race about when to arrive and where to park if you’re driving. It’s usually best to arrive around an hour before the race is due to start, although you might need to get there earlier for a bigger event.

What should I wear if it's cold on race morning?

Wear the running kit you’ve trained in, adding gloves, a hat, arm sleeves or a base layer if conditions call for them. An old jumper or other throwaway layer can keep you warm while you wait without leaving you overdressed once you start running.

Can I run a race with my phone?

It’s a good idea to bring your phone so you can contact people before and after. However, rather than holding it in your hand while you run, it’s best to keep it in a secure pocket, running belt, or vest where it won’t get in your way or distract you.

Are headphones allowed at UK races?

Headphone rules vary between races, so always check the organiser’s instructions. Under UK Athletics rules, in-ear headphones (like AirPods) aren’t permitted in road races where the route remains open to traffic. Bone-conduction headphones are allowed. Individual events may have their own restrictions, including on fully closed roads.

Do I need to take my ID to a race?

You might need ID if you’re collecting your race bib or number on the day, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes you just give the person handing out bibs your name, and they cross it off a list. Check the race information before you leave home to see what you’ll need to show at registration. If your bib has already been posted to you, you probably won’t need ID at all.

Can I leave a bag at a running race?

Many running events have a bag drop where you can leave your belongings while you race, but it isn’t guaranteed. Check the event information beforehand to find out whether there’s a bag drop and whether there are any restrictions on bag size or type. Avoid leaving valuables unless the organiser specifically says they’ll be stored securely.

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Related guides:

• Running nutrition: what to eat before, during, and after your race
• A runner's guide to hydration: how much to drink, what to drink, and how to carry it
• 10k training plan: how to train for your first or fastest 10k
• The best half marathons in the UK
• Half marathon kit list: all the essentials you need for the perfect race