Marathon Race Day Checklist

The night before

• Lay out kit: vest, shorts, socks, shoes, watch, safety pins, race belt.
• Check forecast again and plan throwaway layers if it is cold or wet.
• Prepare breakfast you have tested in training — nothing new.
• Set multiple alarms; confirm transport and start corral time.

Morning of the race

• Eat 2–3 hours before the start; sip water, do not overdrink.
• Apply anti-chafe, sunscreen if needed, and pin your bib early.
• Arrive with time to spare — bag drop, toilets, and corrals queue.
• Warm up lightly; save legs for 42.195 km, not a 5K time trial.

What to carry

Gels or chews you trained with, ID, cash or card, phone, and any prescribed medication. Most big races provide water and electrolytes; smaller events may not — check the marathon FAQ.

Weather-specific extras

Cold: gloves, hat, arm sleeves you can discard. Hot: light colours, cap, sunscreen. Read marathon weather guide for pacing in heat and humidity.

After you finish

Foil blanket, dry top, and easy food. Walk before you sit. Savour it — then start thinking about the next one with how to choose a marathon.

Pacing tools

Use a marathon pace calculator to set realistic split targets before race morning based on your training and goal time.