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Before the race – before the race expo — Get your stuff together and see what you’ve got.  Go through all your stuff, check it off the list (use the link above.) Make a list of anything you might need to get before the race. Usually the Race Expo has some good deals, but it may not be worth taking a chance. You can go to your local running store and pick-up anything you need then get the fun stuff at the expo.

 

Here’s a story so that you can learn from my experience. Every marathon is a memorable event.  But carrying anything for 26.2 miles, much less stuff you don’t need, can totally suck. 

At my first marathon I used a hiking waist belt. I called it my Batman Utility Belt. I had Power Bars, camera, cell phone, bandages, gels, money, and in a separate section it had a water bottle holder, to hold one the size that fits on a bike. All that added up to one heavy belt. On top of that it was not a tight fitting belt like the Fuel Belt that I use (and recommend) now and caused chafing.

 

The moral of the story is “less is more”. Virtually all marathons have well-placed water stations. I carry only two water bottles in my fuel belt. I put $40 and a couple gels in the pockets. I’ll also have a camera. Beside the camera my belt is pretty light.