Race morning is not the time to discover you forgot your shoes. Or that your bib needs to be picked up at a location 30 minutes from the venue. Or that the parking lot is a muddy field that requires cash.
This checklist covers everything from the night before to the starting corral. Print it, screenshot it, or bookmark it. Future you will be grateful.
The Night Before
Confirm logistics:
– Race start time and your specific wave time
– Venue address (not the race series HQ — the actual venue)
– Parking situation (free? paid? cash only? shuttle from remote lot?)
– Bib pickup: day-before or race morning? Where exactly?
– Weather forecast — adjust clothing layers accordingly
Prepare your gear bag:
– Race shoes (trail shoes with aggressive tread)
– Race clothing (moisture-wicking, nothing cotton, nothing you can’t afford to destroy)
– Socks (synthetic or wool — never cotton)
– Sports bra (for women — high-impact, secure)
– Compression tights or shorts
– Gloves (if you race with them)
– Headband or hat (keeps mud out of eyes)
– Race belt or vest (if carrying nutrition)
Prepare your post-race bag:
– Complete change of dry clothes (including underwear and socks)
– Old towel (you will be filthy)
– Plastic bags (for muddy gear and shoes)
– Flip-flops or sandals (for after)
– Body wipes or a small towel for initial cleanup
Prepare your nutrition:
– Pre-race breakfast items (oatmeal, bagels, bananas — whatever you’ve tested)
– Coffee setup if you need it
– Race nutrition: gels, chews, or snacks in individual portions
– Post-race snack (protein bar, chocolate milk, banana)
– Water bottle for pre-race hydration
Set two alarms. Race morning alarms fail at the worst time. Set a backup.
Race Morning
2-3 hours before start time: Eat your pre-race meal. Something you’ve eaten before training runs — no experiments. 200-400 calories of primarily carbohydrates.
Hydrate steadily from when you wake up until about 30 minutes before your wave. Sip, don’t chug.
Apply anti-chafe product to any friction-prone areas: inner thighs, underarms, around sports bra bands, nipples (yes, really — mud makes chafing worse). Body Glide, Squirrel’s Nut Butter, or plain petroleum jelly all work.
Sunscreen if it’s sunny. Waterproof sport formula. You’ll sweat and get wet — regular sunscreen won’t survive.
Remove valuables: No watches you care about, no jewelry, no expensive sunglasses. If you must carry a phone, use a waterproof case or Ziploc bag.
At the Venue
Arrive 60-90 minutes before your wave time. This accounts for parking, bib pickup, bag check, bathroom lines, and warm-up. Feeling rushed at a race is a terrible way to start.
Pick up your bib and pin it securely. Four safety pins minimum — two at the top, two at the bottom. Some races use timing chips that attach to your shoe or wrist. Follow the instructions.
Check your bag. Keep your car key on your person (in a zippered pocket or pinned to your clothes) — everything else goes in the bag. Label your bag with your name.
Use the bathroom. Lines get long close to start time. Go early, go again if needed.
Warm up 10-15 minutes before your wave: Light jog, dynamic stretches (leg swings, arm circles, high knees). You want to be warm but not sweating. Cold muscles on the first obstacle are an injury risk.
In the Starting Corral
Position yourself based on your speed. Faster racers toward the front, slower racers and first-timers toward the back. Starting too far forward means getting passed constantly. Starting too far back means congestion at early obstacles.
Listen to the MC. They’ll announce any course changes, safety reminders, and obstacle modifications. This information matters.
Take a breath. Adrenaline will spike. Your heart rate will jump before you take a single step. This is normal. It settles after the first few minutes.
Start at YOUR pace. The crowd will surge. The energy will push you to go fast. Resist. You know your race plan. Stick to it.
Quick Reference Card
Must have:
– Trail shoes, race clothes, socks
– Race bib and timing chip
– Nutrition for race (if Super/Beast distance)
– Car key in secure pocket
– Anti-chafe product applied
Nice to have:
– Gloves
– Headband
– Race vest/belt
– Electrolyte tabs
– Liquid chalk (where allowed)
Leave behind:
– Cotton clothing
– Road running shoes
– Valuables and jewelry
– Ego (you’ll need to accept help at some point)
See you at the starting line.
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