Fitting Remarks: Marathon Packing List

I have started getting my things together for our trip to North Carolina for the Outer Banks Marathon.

I am always worried that I’ll forget something, so I put together a destination marathon packing list (though it could work for any distance race). This is my list for the OBX marathon, but if you were doing a colder race, you would need to pack much warmer clothes.

In your carry-on bag:
When I was a kid, my mom would always tell me to pack an extra outfit in my carry-on in case I lost my luggage. For a marathon, that extra outfit should be your race outfit!  Pack all the running gear you think you will wear on race day in a bag that you are carrying with you. Remember the rule about nothing new on race day? You would hate to lose your luggage and have to buy everything new when you arrive at your destination.

My carry-on will include the following:
_Running shoes
_Running socks
_Singlet
_Shorts
_Sports bra
_Headband/hair ties
_Travel itinerary with confirmations
_Compression socks (I might wear them on the plane)
_Empty water bottle (which I will fill up when I get through security)
_Healthy snacks

Suitcase:
The items that I will pack in my suitcase are ones that I’m not too concerned about if I had to buy them when I get there, as I’m sure they’ll be available at the expo. Sidenote: this isn’t necessarily true if you are running an international marathon. The same products- GU’s, Gatorade, Nuun, etc. may not be available at the expo, so plan accordingly.

Apparel:
_Warm shirt to wear at the start line
_Hat
_Extra socks
_Flip flops
_Second pair of sneakers (for walking around the expo, etc)

Electronics
I put all my chargers in a big ziploc bag so they are together.

_Garmin plus charger
_Laptop plus charger (I need to stay in touch with you guys!)
_Cell phone plus charger
_Camera plus charger

Toiletries:
_Body Glide
_Chapstick

Miscellaneous:
_Pace bracelet/tattoo (I ordered one from TazRunning)
_Plastic garbage bag (to use as a poncho if it’s raining)
_Toilet Paper/Kleenexes
_Sunglasses
_Sunscreen
_Band-aids
_Extra safety pins
_Deodorant
_Advil/Tylenol/Other Medicines
_Reading material (currently reading THIS and THIS– two very different books!)
_Electric Tape for putting my name on my shirt (and scissors)

As for the rest of my fashion for the trip, it will mostly be casual for relaxing and touring with maybe 1-2 dressier options for celebratory dinners.

I hope you find this list helpful for your next destination race!

Please go check out my guest post on Minneapolis Running about “What’s Hot in Women’s Running Apparel!”- thanks!