What to Bring to a Fun Run

The Night Before Question

You’re registered for tomorrow’s fun run. Your running clothes are laid out. But that small voice in your head is asking: what else do I need? Should I bring water? Energy gels? A change of clothes? Towel? Snacks? Band-aids? How early should I eat breakfast?

The internet offers conflicting advice. Some packing lists look like you’re preparing for an expedition. Others suggest you need almost nothing. Which is correct?

Here’s the honest answer: for a 5K or 10K fun run, you need surprisingly little. But the few things you do need matter significantly. And there are items that experienced participants always bring that beginners often forget. For guidance on the overall experience, see our first-timer’s timeline.

This is the practical packing guide: what actually works, based on real events across Europe where people get this right (and occasionally very wrong).

The Absolute Essentials

These items are non-negotiable. Without them, you cannot participate or will be uncomfortable enough to regret it.

Your Race Bib

This is the single most important item. Your race bib (the number you pin to your shirt) is your entry pass. Without it, you cannot participate.

If you collected your bib in advance: Bring it. Pin it to your shirt before you leave home, or bring safety pins and attach it when you arrive.

If you’re collecting on arrival: Bring your registration confirmation (email on phone or printed) and identification if required.

Don’t pack your bib at the bottom of a bag. Keep it accessible. The number of experienced runners who’ve driven to events, parked, walked to the start area, and only then realized their bib is at home sitting on the kitchen table is surprisingly high.

Running Shoes You’ve Worn Before

Wear shoes you’ve run in multiple times. Not brand new shoes. Not shoes you’ve only walked in. Shoes that your feet know.

New shoes cause blisters. Shoes you haven’t tested might feel fine for ten minutes then create hot spots by kilometer 3. There’s no prize for the newest footwear. Wear the shoes that work.

If it’s a muddy obstacle course run and you’re worried about ruining good shoes, wear old trainers you’re prepared to throw away afterward. But they should still be shoes you’ve exercised in before.

Moisture-Wicking Clothing

Technical running clothing pulls sweat away from skin. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet, which causes chafing.

You don’t need expensive brands. Any synthetic athletic wear (polyester, nylon) works. Old gym clothes are fine. The key is moisture-wicking fabric, not fashion.

What to wear:

• Running tights, shorts, or leggings you’ve exercised in
• Technical t-shirt or tank top (not cotton)
• Sports bra or athletic support
• Synthetic socks (not cotton)

The cotton problem: Cotton t-shirts feel comfortable for the first kilometer. Then you start sweating. The shirt soaks it up, becomes heavy, and the wet fabric rubs. By kilometer 5, you’re chafing. Experienced runners avoid cotton entirely.

Weather-Appropriate Layers

Check the forecast the night before. Then dress appropriately, remembering you’ll warm up significantly once moving.

General rule: Dress as if it’s 10°C warmer than the actual temperature. You’ll feel slightly cool at the start but comfortable once running.

Cold weather: Light layers you can remove if needed. A light jacket or long-sleeve top over your shirt. Gloves if it’s particularly cold (hands get cold quickly and gloves are easy to remove and carry if you warm up).

Rain: Light waterproof jacket if rain is likely. You’ll still get wet from sweat, but staying somewhat dry from rain improves comfort. Many runners skip this and just accept getting wet.

Heat: Less is more. Wear minimal clothing. Bring sunscreen.

What to Bring in a Small Bag

Most events offer bag check. You drop off a bag before the race, collect it after finishing. Keep this bag small and pack strategically.

Phone

Bring it. Use it for:

• Meeting up with people via texts
• Emergency contact
• Photos at the finish
• Showing registration confirmation if needed
• Possibly using event apps for timing or tracking

Many runners carry phones during the run in armbands, pockets, or running belts. Others leave them in checked bags. Both work. Decide based on whether you want photos during the run or just want the phone available afterward.

Cash or Card

For after the event:

• Food vendors often set up at fun runs
• Merchandise or charity donation opportunities
• Unexpected needs (forgotten something, need transport)

You probably won’t need much, but having 10-20 euros provides flexibility.

Post-Run Change of Clothes

This is what beginners most often forget and most regret forgetting.

After finishing, you’ll be sweaty. Possibly muddy if it’s an obstacle run. Potentially covered in color powder. Definitely ready for dry clothes.

Pack:

• Clean, dry t-shirt or sweatshirt
• Clean socks (changing socks especially feels amazing)
• Long pants or comfortable bottoms

You don’t need a complete outfit change. Just a dry top and socks transforms your comfort level dramatically. The journey home in sweaty running clothes is miserable; in dry clothes, it’s fine.

Towel

A small towel for wiping down after the run. Many events don’t provide these. If there are showers or water for rinsing (common at obstacle and color runs), you’ll want something to dry off with.

What Experienced Participants Always Bring

These aren’t absolutely essential, but regular fun run participants pack them every time.

Anti-Chafe Balm or Body Glide

Apply anywhere fabric edges touch skin that might rub: inner thighs, underarms, chest area and nipples (a common chafing point), anywhere clothing seams sit.

Prevention is easier than treating chafing afterward. A small tube lasts for many events.

Sunscreen

Even cloudy days deliver UV exposure. You’ll be outside for 1-2 hours minimum (pre-race waiting plus the event itself). Apply to face, neck, arms, any exposed skin.

Sunburn won’t become apparent until hours later when you’re home thinking “why didn’t I bring sunscreen?”

Hair Ties

If you have long hair, bring multiple ties. They break. They get lost. Having a spare prevents frustration when your primary one snaps as you’re trying to prepare.

Safety Pins

Most events provide safety pins for attaching your bib. Sometimes they run out. Sometimes you lose the ones they gave you. Bringing 4-6 safety pins guarantees you can attach your bib.

Plastic Bag

For wet or muddy clothing after the event. Keeps your bag and car clean. A simple shopping bag works perfectly.

Water Bottle

For before and after the run. Most events provide water at the finish, but having your own bottle means you can hydrate on your own schedule.

Most runners don’t carry water during 5K or 10K distances. Events provide refreshment stations, and the distances are short enough that most people run without carrying water. Longer events or very hot days might warrant carrying a small bottle.

What You Probably Don’t Need

These items appear on many packing lists but aren’t necessary for typical 5K/10K fun runs.

Energy Gels or Sports Nutrition

For 5K or 10K distances, most runners don’t use mid-race fuel. Your body typically has sufficient energy stored to cover these distances without eating. Save the gels for half marathons and longer.

A light breakfast a couple hours before the event works well for many participants.

Multiple Outfit Options

Beginners sometimes pack three different shirts wondering which to wear. Decide the night before. Wear it. Don’t overthink it.

Expensive Valuables

Leave jewelry, expensive watches (beyond a basic running watch), and unnecessary valuables at home. Bag check is generally secure, but why create worry?

Brand New Anything

New shoes, new clothes, new running belt, new headphones. Anything you haven’t tested before. Race day is for using familiar, proven gear. Test new items on practice runs first.

”Just in Case” Items

The more you pack “just in case,” the heavier your bag and the more you need to keep track of. Pack what you’ll actually use, not what hypothetically might be useful.

Event-Specific Considerations

Color Runs

For color runs, wear white:

• Wear white clothing (it’s expected and part of the fun)
• Bring clothes you’re prepared to stain (the powder doesn’t fully wash out)
• Protective eye wear if you’re sensitive (sunglasses or similar)
• Skip contact lenses (powder and contacts don’t mix well)
• Bring extra plastic bags (your color-stained clothes will need containment)

Obstacle Course Runs

For obstacle course runs:

• Wear fitted clothing (nothing loose that can catch on obstacles)
• Pack complete outfit change (you’ll be muddy)
• Bring shoes you can throw away if it’s a particularly muddy event
• Towel is essential (for cleaning up post-run)
• Consider gloves (lightweight gloves protect hands during rope and climbing obstacles)

Night Runs

For night runs, bring headlamp:

• Headlamp or torch (some events provide lighting, others require participants to bring own)
• Reflective elements (help others see you)
• Warm layers (it’s colder running after dark)

Winter Events

• Throwaway warm layer (an old sweatshirt to wear before the start, discard just before running)
• Gloves and hat (easy to remove and carry if you warm up)
• Change of clothes is critical (you’ll get cold quickly post-run)

The Morning Routine

Many participants eat breakfast 2-3 hours before: Something light and carb-based that your stomach knows. Toast, banana, oatmeal. Not a huge meal. Not something new you’ve never tried before.

Hydrate normally: Drink water in the hours before, but don’t chug excessive amounts right before starting. You’ll just need toilets during the event.

Apply sunscreen and anti-chafe balm: Do this before leaving home. It’s easy to forget in the event excitement.

Pin on your bib: Either at home or immediately upon arrival. Don’t leave it loose in your bag where it can get lost or crushed.

Use the toilet before you leave home: Event toilets have long queues. Starting your morning having already used the toilet at home saves significant waiting time.

What to Leave in the Car

If you’re driving to the event, some items are useful to have nearby but not in your checked bag:

• Complete change of clothes
• Large towel
• Shoes for after the run
• Water and snacks for the drive home
• First aid supplies (blister plasters, pain relief)

This way you can collect your checked bag, change into the clean top and socks you packed, then return to your car for a fuller change if needed.

The Minimal Packing List

If you want the absolute minimum:

To wear:

• Running shoes (worn before)
• Moisture-wicking running clothes (worn before)
• Sports support/bra
• Weather-appropriate layer

To bring:

• Race bib
• Phone
• One clean dry shirt
• Clean socks
• Small towel

That’s genuinely enough for most 5K/10K events. Everything else enhances comfort but isn’t strictly necessary.

First-Timer Mistakes

Overpacking: Bringing every possible item “just in case.” Pack what you’ll use, not what you might theoretically need.

Forgetting post-run clothes: The single most regretted omission. Always pack at least a dry shirt.

New shoes: Causing blisters you’ll feel for days. Wear tested shoes.

Cotton clothing: Seems fine until the chafing starts around kilometer 4.

No sunscreen: You’ll realize this mistake several hours after finishing when the sunburn appears.

Arriving without having used the toilet: Event toilet queues are long. Use facilities before leaving home.

The Bottom Line

Packing for a fun run is simpler than it seems. You need very little to participate, but the few items you do need matter significantly.

Wear familiar, moisture-wicking clothes and tested shoes. Bring your bib. Pack a clean dry shirt for afterward. Everything else is optimization.

Your first event, you might forget something. That’s fine. You’ll remember for next time. Nobody gets this perfect immediately. The experienced runners around you forgot things at their first events too.

The key is not overthinking it. This is a fun run, not an expedition. Simple, practical, familiar gear works best.

Ready to participate? Browse upcoming fun runs near you and start planning what (very little) you’ll need to bring.