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Aly’s Marathon Race-Day Essentials: Our Editor’s Picks for the Little Things That Get Her Through 26.2
First Marathon Tips.
I’m in the taper stage of preparation for my sixth marathon, which I’ll run in shoes to start. But, if you’re eyeing your first marathon, you’ll quickly come across the many brands trying to sell you their race-day essentials. And you may be skeptical. Yes, a marathon requires so much more than lacing up and putting one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles. There are running belts, water bottles, fuel, and so much more gear to consider. But there’s a balance.
I’m in the taper stage of preparation for my sixth marathon, which I’ll run in New York next week. Over my previous five (and several halfs), I’ve dialed in my kit with several accessories, from the obvious to the little lifesavers I didn’t know I’d need the first time I ran. What’s more, the most expensive is $32.
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I have tried many hydration belts and backpacks, and all of them bounced or chafed too much, until this one from RunTasty. I’ve logged three marathons and several half marathons wearing it, and it’s so comfortable I usually forget it’s around my waist. Thanks to slightly tacky dots on the sides that grip your clothes, it doesn’t bounce or ride up.
One of the joys of running is that, at its most basic level, all you need is a pair of. (UCAN and Liquid I.V. are two electrolyte mixes that work for me.) The phone pocket is clear and on a hinge, so I can tilt my phone up and can glance down to tap the touchscreen without having to take it out. The interior pocket is generously sized and can hold everything listed below.
When I run marathons, I usually listen to music or Peloton running classes, and by the end of the race, my phone is dead, which makes finding my family a challenge. Last year, I bought this Sethruki portable charger to carry on race day. It worked perfectly. It’s compact enough that it can fit in my belt bag, has built-in Lightning and USB-C cables so I don’t need to carry extra cords, and holds roughly one full charge worth of juice.
I typically carry four to six gels with me when I run a marathon, and Gu’s Campfire S’mores flavor is my favorite. They taste like brownie batter. Need I say more?
I also like to carry some gummies with me, because sometimes, I just need a break from the gels. You can also carry some gummy candy if that works better for you. May I recommend Swedish Fish? An important note: Do not try anything new on race day, including fuel! The last thing you want is a GI issue taking you out mid-marathon.
Don’t forget to pack some SPF chapstick. The wind and sun will dry your lips out, so be prepared. When I ran Boston last year, the sun was beating down, and I was so glad I packed chapstick to keep my lips from drying out. Even if it’s not sunny during your race, you will want to have some chapstick handy to avoid painful cracking and peeling between the wind and your breathing.
I always pack tissues in my bag, and not only to blow my nose… porta-potties often run out of toilet paper. These are a great backup to have on hand.
Aly is the Director of Content Hype at Runner’s World. She started running over a decade ago when she saw a Star Wars themed race happening at Disneyland and thought it looked like fun. Since then, she has run 8 marathons (so far!), and hundreds of shorter distance races. She is known for signing up for 5Ks in every city she travels to. She loves watching reality competition shows, playing board games with her husband and taking naps with her dog.
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