Event day checklist
Event day is almost finally here. Hopefully you feel ready, your training has gone well, and you are smashing your fundraising target. All you’ve got to do now is pack your bag and enjoy your event.
Have a look over our checklist to make sure you have packed everything you might need.
Travel and weather
Sometimes it's better to stay somewhere nearby your event the night before if the prospect of a 5am alarm clock is too much!
If you have decided to travel the day before then make sure you check your train or flight leading up to event day for any changes and plan ahead how long it is going to take you to get from your accommodation to the event itself.
While the British weather is often changeable and forecasts
can’t always be 100% guaranteed, make sure you check the weather a day or two
before your event and then check again! Pack your bag for the weather that is
expected but be sure to pack for the chance of rain or if it turns out to be colder
than forecast.
Nothing new on event day
There is always the temptation to splash the cash on brand new, box fresh running trainers, hiking boots, base layers or various other pieces of kit, but don’t! You don’t want to run the risk of unwanted blisters, chaffing or just generally not feeling comfortable in any way during your event. Stick to tried and tested kit that you know performs well for you.
The same thing goes for energy gels, sweets and supplements of any kind. Over the course of your training, you will have established what works and potentially what doesn’t work for you. While the freebies on offer at the event village might look like a great idea, is it really worth taking the risk?
Throwaway clothes
A lot of Macmillan fundraising events involve a very early start. Early starts often mean chilly starts, especially in the Autumn when it can be rainy too. When you’re up to speed and working up a sweat, the lower temperatures and a gentle drizzle can be a welcome relief. But anyone who has started an event wet and cold will tell you that’s nowhere near as welcome!
That’s why it’s vital to layer up (with waterproofs and bin bags over the trainers if you want to keep your feet dry as well), and then strip those unwanted layers off just before the start line. Most events now have dedicated zones to put your unwanted clothes and will donate them to charity.
Event day Packing Checklist
- Event confirmation
- Bib pick-up information (if you haven’t already been sent it in the post)
- Directions to the start line and bib pick-up
- Safety pins (in case they aren’t provided)
- Water bottle
- Snacks (for before and after the event)
- Headphones to listen to something to get you pumped up for the event
- Comfortable and warm clothes for after your event
- Toilet paper
- GPS watch
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Compression socks
- Event day race shoes / hiking boots
- Anti-chafing balm or Vaseline and nip guards
- Lip balm
- Energy gels
- Towel
- Ibuprofen (or other anti-inflammatory painkillers)
- Spare socks
- Wet wipes
- Deodorant