Race-day checklist: generate by surface, duration and weather

What the checklist solves

The items most often forgotten before a race are not the big ones: bib fasteners, spare batteries, dry clothes, medication or the return plan. Choose the race type, expected duration, weather and whether you are travelling, and the tool groups baseline items with extra items for those conditions.

It is a preparation prompt, not a race rulebook. The organiser's mandatory kit, route briefing, medical requirements and local regulations take precedence.

Baseline, weather and terrain

The baseline covers entry and identity, clothing and shoes, fuel and water, and travel and finish. Trail adds a headlamp and spare batteries, map/compass, whistle, first-aid kit, emergency blanket and escape plan. Over six hours adds spare power, extra food, foot care and a drop-bag plan.

Heat adds cooling, aid-station and heat-illness stop signals. Cold or rain adds a wind/water-resistant shell, gloves, a dry bag and a hypothermia exit plan. Travelling adds carry-on race kit, medication, local transport and rule checks.

How to use it

Generate the list a few days ahead, then handle anything that needs buying, washing or testing. Check again the day before. Treat a tick as “remembered”, not “tested”. New shoes, gels, packs or medication should not make their race debut on the start line.

Printing uses only the current page and does not upload the selections. The checklist does not save personal data; close the page on a shared device.

Tool limits

This checklist does not replace a race's mandatory kit list, technical briefing, medical advice or route-safety assessment. Technical trails, extreme weather, night sections or roped routes require specific training and local information.

Sources and scope

The trail minimum-kit framework follows the NPS Ten Essentials; trip planning and phone-coverage limits follow NPS Hike Smart; heat stop signals follow the NWS; winter route and warmth guidance follows the NPS. Actual needs depend on race rules, land-manager guidance and the forecast.

{
  "raceType": "trail",
  "duration": "over-6h",
  "weather": "hot",
  "travel": true
}

{
  "sectionIds": [
    "entry",
    "clothing",
    "fuel",
    "logistics",
    "heat",
    "trail",
    "long-race",
    "travel"
  ],
  "requiredItems": [
    "headlamp",
    "heat-warning",
    "spare-battery",
    "travel-kit"
  ]
}