I have my 3rd Relay Race coming up in a few weeks so it’s the perfect time to start thinking about What To Pack For A Relay Race? What Do You Really Need? After completing 2 Ragnar Relays, I am taking on The American Odyssey Relay in Gettysburg, PA. My “Moms Do It All Night Long” team is back for another team challenge!
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and pack everything. I perhaps might have slightly overpacked for my first race. Just saying. Now that I have a few races under my belt, I believe I’ve got it covered.
How to pack for a Relay Race:
First, figure out your 3 running leg outfits including undergarments and socks. Consider that your night leg will be chillier and you may want a long sleeve depending on where your race is. In addition to 3 race outfits I will pack a light water resistant running jacket. I will also pack an extra pair of running shoes in case they get wet you will want a dry pair.
Each outfit is then placed in a plastic bag and labelled with the leg #. After you complete the run, simply place the sweaty outfit back into the bag.
I will pack 2 recovery outfits. You will want comfortable dry clothes to wear in between your running legs and you may be napping in them as well. I suggest leggings or sweats and a 2 t shirts. I also include a sweatshirt that can double as a pillow for naps.
I include a small blanket or sleeping bag to catch some Z’s. If you can fit a small pillow that works but I usually just roll up my sweatshirt and use that.
Running Gear
I like to keep everything I use for a run in one plastic bag that I can easily keep track of. The van can get messy and you don’t want to be looking for your gear at 3 am. Include headphones (if allowed at your race), running watch, hydration belt, gels or GU etc. I also include all my night time running gear in the same bag so it is easily accessible. (Headlamp, reflective vest, knuckle lights, reflective light). Even when you are not running at night, it is a good idea and often required to wear your safety gear.
Toiletries
I keep all of my must haves (really paired this down to bare essentials) in a separate case so I can easily grab it to take into a real restroom or exchange. Basically: toothbrush, paste, deodorant, Shower Pill wipes, contact lens stuff, face wash, brush, hair ties, travel size shampoo. Bare necessities indeed!
Each Van Should Have These to Share:
A first aid kit: I could literally do roadside surgery if I needed to with all of this.
Small foam roller/massage stick/Roll 8 Recovery
Car chargers/Roll of Toilet paper/Hand sanitizer/2 flash lights
“Race Bible”-printed out manual with all of the run legs, van legs and instructions. Our binder also includes all runners cell numbers and emergency contact info.
We also have each leg marked with the runner’s name and who they are passing off to. It can get a little confusing on no sleep. This way any team member should be able to pick up the binder and take lead either driving or navigating.
Snacks
Depending on where your race is, you may not have a ton of available places to stop for food. I like to bring a few bagels for the van, mini peanut butter packs, protein bars, cheese sticks, hummus, bananas and apples. I made the mistake my first race of not bringing snacks and being a vegetarian I had a big problem.
We do keep a cooler in the van and start off with 1 case of water/sports drinks etc.
Most importantly remember to pack your carefree attitude. Someone will forget their sports bra or their deodorant or go to the wrong transition, that’s what makes it an adventure!
What are your must haves? Did I miss anything?
Linking up with Nicole
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This is very nice collection. thanks for sharing
That looks pretty complete to me! It’s been a couple years (wow!) since my Ragnar, but I can’t think of anything you missed. In my van only a couple of us had sleeping bags. Every time I finished my leg I’d find someone snuggled up in mine, so obviously it’s a good idea to bring one, especially if the weather is cool.
I was never the type that could sleep in the car like that and envy those that can
I discovered that my 56 year old body did not do well sleeping in the van. 🙂 I decided if I ever did another relay race I would take advantage of the outdoor (and flat) sleeping areas.
I am afraid to sleep outside!!
Putting your outfits in the separate baggies is seriously the best hack ever!
It is and I started doing it for other trips and for the kids too
I remember you talking about those Shower Pill wipes a while back and forgot about them. I’m considering doing a walk commute occasionally, so I wouldn’t be sweaty enough for a shower but might need to freshen up. I think I’m going to give these a try. Thanks for the reminder, and good luck on your race. You are so organized!
They would be perfect for that!
Great post! Relay races look like so much fun and such a team effort! Love your idea to pack your race outfits in separate bags so you can just throw the sweaty ones back in the same bag. You seem super organized and I will definitely come back to this post if I ever run a relay race!
thanks they really are so much fun hope you have the chance to do one sometime~
Great list! I haven’t done a relay yet but I was thinking about it at some point and this is really helpful. I love those shower pills!
The shower pills are great! Keep them in my gym bag
Great round up! When I was getting ready for Ragnar last year, it was a matter of how are we going to fit the cheezeballs into the rather small car that we were contending with lol. Thank goodness for whoever discovered the baggy trick!
Yes the baggies is the best idea! We try to rent the biggest car we can so we have a little more space for food too 🙂
This reminds me of when I used to pack for away games for rugby. Gotta have your warm up kit, your game kit, your sideline sweats, and your recovery gear!! So much stuff!
I know so much gear is needed for sports!
You have it together! I really want to add a relay race to my list and I am telling you we may have to have a conference call so you can walk me thru the process! 🙂 Impressive my friend!
OH anytime would love to help you out! I know they have the Ragnar Key West we thought it might be really hot?
i would have to pack lots of bandaids and Neosporin since i am so clumsy. i love the idea of ziplocks for each outfit.
LOL!
Awesome awesome awesome. I hope to do a relay race at some point – hopefully a Ragnar next year, so these are super handy!
You will love it!
So funny. Maybe I’m gross…(I prefer to call myself a minimalist) but I’ve NEVER used the ziplock bag system which, to read all the “pack for a relay” posts you’d think it were do or die. I do have reusable cloth bags I can synch up and have never had an issue with the smell. I also don’t always adhere to the one-entirely-new-outfit-per-run “rule” because the distance of my legs and time of day often lets me get away with wearing the same sports bra and maybe even shorts/tights for the first two runs. I’ve only brought a sleeping bag twice in the…oh idk…13+? relays I’ve done…and used it once. I will so, though, if my team has a big passenger van (not just a minivan), I think a pillow is an awfully nice splurge item. 😀
I get really cold if I hang around in sweaty clothes and I really need to have clean clothes to wear. I do think the plastic bags also help to have everything you need in one place so you can grab it to go change. Sounds like you have a system that works for you though
Great post! I’m approaching my 10 years of serious running/racing anniversary, and I’ve still NEVER done a relay! It’s on my to do list for sure. Specifically, a Ragnar trail 🙂 I’ll keep this post in mind when the day comes!
I have not yet done a trail relay but sounds like it would be perfect for you!
I struggle with with packing, for anything! I always over pack, always so I need all the help I can get. Thanks for sharing.
I am kind of an over packer myself according to the hubs. I just like to have options
What an incredibly comprehensive packing approach! Love the idea of putting each outfit. In a zip lock bag and labeling it. Relay races sound scary to me, but maybe one day I’ll do the Madison-Chicago Ragnar!
It always sounds intimidating before you do it but so much fun
Good luck! I don’t think the relay life is for me. My brother did Hood To Coast and he loved it! I have a few people from my running group doing the American Odyssey Relay, looks like fun!
It is fun! I never thought I would have enjoyed it so much
That is so cool!! My fiancé wanted us to join a team and do this race, but as soon as I told him we would be sleeping in a van, and there would be no showers, he immediately said “NO WAY!”
Have a great relay race!! it sounds really exciting!
Too funny! Usually guys don’t care as much about that. It’s only one day!
Great tips! How fun you’ve got your 3rd relay race coming up! I would love to do a Ragnar some time. At least I’ll know how to prepare for one if I ever do one. 🙂 Thanks for the info!
Hope you have the chance to do one sometime they are lots of fun and great bonding
This is such a essential list you put together Deborah! You thought about everything!
Wow, what a comprehensive list. I always put my race outfits in plastic bags when I travel although I have never run a relay. It just helps to make sure everything is in one place and no freak out moments will occur. Okay, so many a few less freak out moments! Even for regular races I always have first aid items available, especially Benedryl since I am allergic to bees.
Sounds like you are pretty organized too! love the plastic bags 🙂
i think bare necessities are an absolute MUST! while im not running a race anytime soon, but i will definitely be thinking of it
Thanks yes must be prepared!
Packing posts make me happy! I love your leggings 🙂
I know it’s exciting isn’t it?
The ziploc bag method IS AWESOME, I’ve done it several times. However, I still seem to overpack, never have exactly the right thing for my mood/situation, and always seem to loose something or another in the dark. I can only imagine how much worse I’d be without the bags!
I do tend to lose stuff too! The bags certainly help especially when you are tired. No you don’t have the option of your whole closet which would be nice 🙂
Hopefully you will have great weather. My friend’s dad did this a few yrs ago and he said it was a challenge. Like the idea you put each outfit in a zip lock bag. I do that too. Makes it easier when traveling and then you already have something to throw your dirty clothes back in.
It is a challenge for sure on many levels but so much fun!
Your list looks identical to my relay packing list. Except for the van part.
Great tips Deborah.
Thanks I am really excited to try something new
I love these posts–seeing all the “bags” makes me want to do a relay! I know that sounds weird but I like the idea of counting down the legs by using the stuff in each bag!
No not weird at all! I really hope you try a relay sometime they are so much fun
I am the worst packer! I would have such a hard time with this! I’d be the girl that filled the car with way too much stuff 🙂
I might have done that the first time 🙂
You’re so organized, this is a great checklist! 😀
Thanks so much!
Wow you are organized! I did Ragnar 4yrs ago and just stuffed clothes, toiletries and snacks in a bag. A sleeping bag is a must – only got an hour or two of sleep but I was warm and comfortable.
ha ha that’s one way to go!
This is fantastic post. I love the idea of the everything in a bag. So much better than digging around!
Thanks it works really well!
I’ve never done a relay race so this looks like A LOT of fun but also work. But anything worthy enjoying usually means putting in work–thanks for the tips!
Yes so much fun! I hope you have the chance to do one someday
So many great essentials here. The Shower Pill’s are great because you just get so sweaty and scuzzy. Packing in the ziplocs is definitely the way to go to because you can put the dirty clothes back in them when you are done. Great list!
Thanks! I am getting excited
WOW! I’ve never done a relay so I learned a lot from this post! I love your vest, too! I’ve been wanting to get one.
The vests are really great and it doesn’t bother me at all while running. Hope you have the chance to do a relay one day
I love using ziploc bags to help keep things organized and small pieces together. Makes any sort of travel, whether for a race or just traveling in general, so much easier.
I know it’s genius!