My Race Day Essentials

This is my ultimate race day checklist - everything I wear during a race, plus all the kit I take with me in my drop bag!

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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 Introduction
0:37 Race day kit
2:56 Drop bag contents
6:25 Hot weather gear
7:09 Cold weather gear

About this video: This is all of my favourite running gear that I take with me to every race, whether it's a marathon, half marathon, 10k or 5k. My running EDC if you will! Plus we also chat about what I use for hot weather running and cold weather running.

This video is NOT sponsored. All products mentioned have been bought 100% by Ben and the channel, or are products from the Ben Parkes brand. Our mission here is to help runners of all abilities improve and enjoy running to their full potential. Showcasing the best running tips and advice, while reviewing the latest gear and taking you around some of the best races in the world!

[satareppe]

I am not planing on going on a big race this year besides some 10k or HM distance races but just wanna let you know that you are one of the most sympathic guys out there on social media and an erichment on the runners community

[svenja]

For anyone interested or running with a belt anyway there's belts (Decathlon for example) with enough space to fit 0.5l flask, gels, phone, keys etc and you can attach your bib to them. I don't like possibly ruining my shirts with safety pins.

[spenceredelman]

Thank you so much Ben! Gearing up for my first marathon in Chicago and this was super helpful!!!

[Juangarage]

Ben, this video came in at the perfect timing! I will be running my first half marathon this weekend. Cheers! 🍻

[Kaisersozze]

I hope the socks video is coming out soon. Hopefully socks that I can purchase in Canada as well. Soar is super expensive. Some of the shorts are $270 CAD, yikes. Never seen shorts anywhere near that price before.

[craigbartram]

My first race on Sunday. this couldn't have come at a better time!

[TheKobaltBlue]

The NYC Marathon does offer drop bags. You get it at the expo when you pick up your bib. The main difference since COVID is that you have to drop your bag in Central Park the Friday ahead of the race. In the past runners dropped their bags in the start village.

[KonstantinLoginov-Norway]

My first marathon race (Rome) is on Sunday - perfect timing! (+ love all your content!)

[jasonreid]

Love the race day checklist - with a few small additions, I use it for every race I travel to! 😊

[sleeutube]

the downloadable check list is awesome!! thank you, your channel has helped me a lot. wish me luck!

[Simston]

Thanks for the video of Boston Ben! I did it hoping to smash my PB…..LOL…Didn’t quite achieve this, but I learned a valuable lesson, respect the course and conditions…and enjoy the day, rather than smash myself to pieces trying to attain something that could actually inhibit my ability to finish! Boston had an amazing atmosphere, both before and after the event. Well done, I was desperate to see what your thoughts were.

[mad]

Glad I am not the only one who takes Imodium before a race (all races). I am also a big glove wearer and wondered what gloves you were wearing in your videos. Now I know. Thanks for your videos.

[Feanaro]

I have a half marathon in April, and I will wear a running tank top with arm sleeves, and I'll throw away the sleeves when I get too warm. For my last half 5 years ago, I wore a long sleeved shirt, and had to roll the sleeves up past my elbows after a few miles. That extra weight and heat did not help, but back then I hadn't heard of/thought of wearing disposable layers.

[laetitiaking]

I didn’t expect to stop the video to go to your website to order one of your 5 panel caps! I’ve been looking for one that had that much air gaps (don’t know how else to describe it lol) so jumped on it right away. Thanks for the race day packing advice too!! 🤜🤜

[heff]

Square or circle of Kinesiology Tape is perfect for nipple protection, as long as you are dry when you put it on it survives the sweatiest marathon!! Thanks for the Imodium tip, I could have used that for Palma Marathon, Majorca last October....😱

[eulogyforadream]

Great video as always. Not to nitpick but the NYC Marathon does do bag drop. However, is super inconvenient. You have to drop it off at Central Park the day before the race.

[jeanines_channel]

The expos I have been to (so far) have supplied ample amounts of safety clips, but yes, I still bring my own just in case! 😊

[richardantrobus]

soar jacket is incredible for cold races, don't think I've had anything like it and years later it's still going strong (they patched it up when it wore through in the back pocket)

[tweakLeeds]

I still prefer the clips for the race number - hate the thought of safety pins.

[scott_strool]

NY does have drop bags, just not at the start.