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After 16 weeks+ weeks of coaching, I accomplished the London Marathon – my first ever marathon – on Sunday twenty seventh April 2025. To me, all these lengthy runs had been alternatives to check out my working equipment and diet so I might have it dialled down for race day.
Having accomplished the total marathon now, I’ve learnt precisely what gear made my day—and what I’d change for subsequent time. Under is my full working equipment record, damaged into clear sections, plus insider ideas I picked up throughout coaching and on race day.
What The Race Appeared Like
- Begin time: 11:03 AM, April 27, 2025
- Temperature: 20 °C, no shade
- Hydration stops: I utilised ever water station and stored 1,000ml on me
- Crowd/environment: Continuous! …and electrical—particularly alongside Tower Bridge
Your Full Lengthy Run & Marathon Package Record
Though I’ve not run a marathon earlier than, I’ve run loads of half marathons and am fairly clued up as a runner typically. 99% of the equipment I used, I already owned which meant I might spend my cash on feeding my raging marathon urge for food!
I created a PDF model of this whole record too so be happy to obtain the long term equipment record to make use of to your subsequent future or marathon.
Clothes & Climate Layers
Above you possibly can see my full equipment alternative on the day. Lots of people requested me how I might put on leggings within the warmth and my predominant reply was, these had been what I educated in.
Everyone knows there ought to be nothing new on race day so altering to shorts would’ve been a giant danger I didn’t must take. Additionally, the fabric of the leggings is sweat wicking so it really stored me very snug all through.
Personally, I’d take the warmth over rain any day nevertheless it might be helpful to have some waterproof trainers in your rotation simply in case you find yourself with a wet day.
| Clothes Objects | |
| Base layer | Sports activities bra |
| Tights / Shorts | Operating high |
| Socks | Arm heaters |
| Wind jacket | Rain jacket |
| Snood (headband / neck hotter) | Cap / visor |
| Trainers |
Equipment & Gear
I had my watch set as much as notify me of timings for my run/stroll intervals which was tremendous helpful. I wore my headphones the entire means around the course however by no means really turned them on so when you’re working London – go away them at residence.
I had one AirTag in my bag simply so I might control it and carried one on my particular person so my mum might monitor me from the consolation of residence.
| Equipment & Gear Objects | |
| GPS (charged) | Headphones |
| Sun shades | Apple AirTag |
Diet & Hydration
With the climate turning out to be highly regarded (by working requirements), it was tremendous vital to hydrate properly within the lead as much as race day and in addition in the course of the occasion.
I carried two 500ml flasks of water with me – one plain and one with electrolytes containing 1000mg of sodium (as advisable once I used the Precision Hydration Gasoline & Hydration Planner).
I additionally utilised each water station on the course; ingesting some and pouring some over my head and physique to assist me hold cool.
As I had fairly a late begin, I had some meals earlier than I left residence and in addition packed some in a single day oats which I ate whereas ready for my begin. I knew it was going to be a protracted day with no correct meal / meals so needed to ensure I used to be properly fuelled from the very starting.
I used a takeaway container and disposable spoon which I dumped within the recycling after use. Alot of the diet and merchandise I used will be present in my Marathon Coaching record on my Amazon Storefront.
Listed here are some extra ideas and ideas for working in scorching climate.
| Diet & Hydration Objects | |
| Delicate flasks | Breakfast (on the go) |
| Race diet (gels, bars, electrolytes and so on) |
Security & First Help
Primarily based on my lengthy runs, I knew the areas that had been susceptible to chafing for me so I mitigated these utilizing Wild deodorant as an anti chafe balm, a plaster on my toe that all the time blisters and KT tape beneath my bra straps and in addition to help my decrease again which I had pulled within the week main as much as marathon day.
I additionally doused my toes in athletes foot talc to assist take in any sweat in the course of the occasion and carried tissues for the bathroom / to blow my nostril or for some other cause.
I utilized sunscreen to all of the seen areas of my physique and carried lip balm too.
| Security & First Help Objects | |
| Anti-chafe cream / deodorant | KT tape (for chafing) |
| Talc (for toes) | Blister plasters |
| Rest room roll / tissues | Sunscreen |
| Lip balm |
Race Necessities
Ever since discovering triathlon belts, I’ve used them for all occasions – together with biking – as they’re simply a lot easier than attempting to connect a bib to your high / jersey. Discover them in my duathlon equipment record on Amazon.
I additionally wore previous trainers to the beginning of the occasion to save lots of sporting my race day footwear for even longer than I needed to. These received donated to charity together with the additional layers I wore to get to the beginning.
| Race Important Objects | |
| Triathlon belt (to carry bib) | Outdated trainers (to put on to begin line) |
| ID / cash / telephone | Keys |
| Emergency contact information |
Put up Occasion / Lengthy Run Necessities
I signed up for the brand new Inexperienced Wave this yr which meant no bag drop. We did nevertheless have the choice to drop a bag on the end line the day earlier than, and I took benefit of that in the long run.
I didn’t find yourself packing an excessive amount of in there, however I’m very glad I packed my restoration footwear (OOFOS – can’t beat them!) and a change of garments – together with my finishers shirt to point out off with my medal. in fact. The moist wipes got here in helpful to assist me clean up earlier than leaping on public transport to move residence, so I extremely suggest.
| Put up Occasion / Lengthy Run Important Objects | |
| Moist wipes | Restoration footwear |
| Compression socks | Change of garments |
Additional Ideas For Race Day
Listed here are a pair further issues to consider / pack for race day:
- Pack a pair paracetamols in your race vest as when you do want any from the First Help on the occasion, you’ll must cease and fill in paperwork. I ended up needing them as a consequence of some unexpected foot ache so I’m glad I had them with me.
- Put on waterproof mascara since you’re gonna cry, sweat, run by showers if it’s scorching and / or get rained on.
- Save your caffeinated gels / snacks for a kick within the closing stretch of the race. I took mine someplace round mile 16 to provide them time to hit my system. Labored a deal with. However ensure you follow with caffeine in coaching.
You possibly can learn extra about my race day expertise the place I share all of the issues extra vital to me than my end time.
Something I’ve missed off this future / marathon day equipment record?!
Elle