10 essentials for your 10k race | What to bring and wear on race day? The ultimate 10k race checklist!
Do you have a 10k race coming up soon? Whether you’re experienced or still fairly new to running races, it can be very easy to forget a race day essential when packing your bag. Especially when race nerves kick in! Here’s your ultimate checklist to ensure you’ll pack everything you need for your 10k race.
10 essentials for your 10k race
Here’s the quick checklist, scroll down for details and suggestions for all these items!
Running outfit
Race shoes
Race bib magnets
Watch
Headphones
Sunscreen
Post-race snacks
Water bottle
Towel
Spare clothes
Your running outfit
The golden rule is: Nothing new on race day, because there’s nothing worse than realising that your new shorts ride up or that your new sports bra feels too tight on race day.
Choose a sports bra, a vest or Tshirt and shorts or leggings that you have worn several times and are 100% comfortable in. I even avoid new socks on race day, just in case.
I personally love racing in SAYSKY kit. You can get 15% off with code CHLOE15.
Your race shoes
Your race shoes should have been worn for at least 30km (including a 10k in training) before you race in them for the first time, to ensure that you got used to them.
Once you’ve worn them a few times, you can keep them are your “race shoes” to avoid early wear and tear. Nowadays most runners opt to race in carbon-plated shoes such as the Nike Alphafly or On Cloudboom Echo 3
These shoes can help you gain a little bit of speed, offer great energy return and putting on dedicated race shoes is a great way to get in “race mode”.
Race bib magnets
The good old pins do the job, but bib magnets make your life easier. There’s no risk of leaving holes in your top and it’s easier to slightly adjust the positioning of your race number.
I bought this set of magnets just before my very first 10k and I’ve used them for every single race since then.
Your running watch
There’s no need to have a fancy watch for race day, the watch you trained with is perfect. I’ve always worn Garmin Forerunner watches.
Ensure that all the settings are as you like them for a race: ensure that it’s in km/miles based on what you prefer and check that the watch screen has all the data you’ll need such as average pace, time and distance.
Also double-check to have auto-lap on, so the watch will automatically tell you how fast your last km/mile was.
Headphones
Just so you can listen to your favourite playlist when warming up. Race organised generally don’t recommend wearing headphones for a race, as you need to be aware of your surroundings.
If they are not strictly prohibited and you really need music to get through your race, I would suggest keeping the volume low and investing in a pair of bone-conduction headphones.
You can read my detailed review of the Shokz Open Run Pro headphones here.
Sunscreen
Regardless of how sunny it is, it’s always recommended to wear sunscreen on your face when outside. If it’s warm, don’t forget to also protect your neck, shoulders and upper back.
Check out these dedicated blog posts with plenty of product recommendations for every budget:
Post-race snacks
You will need to refuel after the race and the snacks provided by the race organiser may not be enough/not what you fancy. It can be a good idea to bring a flapjack, energy bar or even a banana.
Water
You will most likely be able to grab water during and after the race, however it’s best to bring your own water bottle to sip on before the start.
Spare clothes
If it’s warm, you will most likely finish very sweaty and will want to at least change your top. If it’s a Winter race, you will need some layers to avoid feeling cold afterwards.
Don’t forget to bring another pair of running shoes for your cool down and the journey to and back from the race, to avoid walking in your race shoes.
Towel
Always a handy item to have in your bag, to wipe the sweat off before putting a fresh top on. I like to bring a microfibre towel as it doesn’t take a lot of space and is light to carry.
Racing on a hot day? Bring these items too
If it’s going to be sunny, hot and sweaty, it might be a good idea to also pack:
A cap or hat
Running sunglasses, I personally wear Oakley Frogskins
Electrolytes to drink before the run to top up your electrolyte stores and after to replenish, for instance the SiS Go Hydro tablets.
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