What’s the golden rule of race day?

Nothing new on race day — not shoes, not socks, not breakfast, not gels. Everything on this list should have been tested in training.

When should I wake up before a marathon?

About three hours before the start, so breakfast digests and the morning isn’t rushed. The race-morning section is sequenced from that wake-up.

Checklists › Marathon Race Day Checklist

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Marathon Race Day Checklist

Months of training come down to one morning. This race day checklist locks in the night-before layout and the morning sequence — so the only variable left is the run.

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Packet Pickup / Expo

Bib & safety pins
Timing chip confirmed
Race shirt (don’t wear it tomorrow)
Course map reviewed
Corral & start time confirmed
Gear-check bag received

Night Before — Lay It Out

Race outfit (nothing new!)
Broken-in shoes
Race socks
Bib pinned to shirt
Watch charged
Anti-chafe balm
Gels / nutrition counted out
Throwaway warm layer
Carb dinner, early night

Race Morning

Wake 3 hours before start
Familiar breakfast
Sunscreen
Body glide on
Sip water — don’t chug
Leave with time buffer
Bathroom before corral
Warm-up jog & strides

For After

Gear-check bag: dry shirt & layer
Recovery snack
Sandals / comfy shoes
Cash / card
Meet-up spot agreed with supporters
Phone for the finish photo

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FAQ

What’s the golden rule of race day?: Nothing new on race day — not shoes, not socks, not breakfast, not gels. Everything on this list should have been tested in training.
When should I wake up before a marathon?: About three hours before the start, so breakfast digests and the morning isn’t rushed. The race-morning section is sequenced from that wake-up.

Marathon Race Day Checklist

Packet Pickup / Expo

Night Before — Lay It Out

Race Morning

For After

FAQ

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