As the weather begins to clear up and temperatures rise, racing season is quickly approaching. The transition to warmer, sunny weather can only mean one thing: spring races.

All across the country, runners of every ability level have set their sights on a race and are making progress towards their goals. While training for any distance race is filled with its fair share of ups and downs, nothing quite compares to those moments right before the start.

Related: 7 Training Strategies to Achieve Your Next Race Goal

As race week nears, it’s easy to panic when the nerves suddenly arrive and everything starts to feel real.

Preparing to run a spring race – whether it’s a 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon or anything in between – is an exciting process.

But as race day approaches, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in nerves and excitement that you forget something very important. Whether you’re worried about remembering to charge your watch or packing your running shoes, having a packing checklist is key to helping minimize the race week stress.

Related: Pre-Race Countdown: What to Do the Week Before a Race

It’s easy to make a mental note of gadgets and gear you’ll need on race day during training, but as soon as race week arrives, those thoughts quickly get buried beneath many emotions.

If you’ve been running for any length of time, you’ve no doubt experienced a race or two where you’ve forgotten something essential. Whether you had to borrow your friend’s tennis shoes, found yourself at the start with a dead watch battery, or realized at mile 20 that you forgot to bring fuel – you know how frustrating these moments can feel.

After months and months of training, set yourself up for success at the start with this handy race day packing checklist. You’ll feel less stressed during race week knowing that everything you could possibly need is written down.

Packing for any race, whether it’s a destination race or right in your hometown, is crucial for your success. After training with certain gear, gadgets and fuel, your body is counting on another run without any surprises.

Use this Race Day Packing Checklist to ensure you are prepared and confident heading to the start on race day. Glance through it now, or download a printable PDF here to keep with you for the future!

The Ultimate Race Day Packing Checklist

• Clear bag from expo (for bag check or to carry things before the start)
• Running shoes
• Compression socks/regular socks
• Shorts/tights
• Shirt/pullover (+ jacket)
• Camera
• Running pouch/fanny pack
• Fuel for the race & hydration
• Charged cell phone
• Throwaway clothes –> sweatpants, sweatshirt or blanket
• Headband/hair tie
• Hand and toe warmers
• Breakfast for race day
• Mittens or light running gloves
• Headphones & a playlist
• Bib & safety pins
• Sunglasses
• Hat/visor
• Sunscreen
• Anti-chafing stick
• KT Tape/brace
• Charged running watch
• Toilet paper (for porta potties)
• Cash and ID for the finish

>>>Download the printable Race Day Packing Checklist PDF here!

With this race day packing checklist, you can feel confident knowing you’ll have everything you need on race day. Creating a packing checklist helps take some stress away from race week, knowing you have a list of everything to pack when you’re ready for it.

Head to the start with everything you need for your best race yet!

More race day tips:

• Pre-Race Countdown: What to Do the Week Before a Race
• Taper Tips and Race Week Tricks
• 8 Race Day Tips for Running Your Best Race