What to Pack for a Ragnar Relay

Have you ever heard of the Ragnar Relay? It’s a 200-something-mile relay race, where teams of up to 12 people run from point A to B, non-stop, overnight.

I will be running in the Ragnar Relay Chicago tomorrow & Saturday.

Picture this: Running a relay race that starts in Madison, Wisconsin hopping the state line and ending in Chicago. This running event will push you and 11 pals, day and night, through 200 miles of stunning scenery in the upper Midwest. Starting in Madison, your team will head southeast toward the southern tip of Lake Michigan. The race (and your stamina) will wrap up in the “Windy City” – Chicago, Illinois. [source]

Can you imagine it? It’s hard to, unless you’ve done an overnight relay race before… Lucky for me, this will be my third time running the Ragnar Relay Chicago. But even though I know what I’m in for—buzzing adrenaline, non-stop running, maaaybe 2 hours of sleep over 36 hours, tired legs (well, an entirely tired body), the smelly confines of a van with 6 friends—I am still sooo excited to meet up with my teammates bright & early tomorrow morning and get on our way.

First things first…what to pack?!

After two years of running this race, I think I have it down. Here’s my checklist.

Required:
- running headlamp/flashlight
- running vests
- tail light (a clip on red, blinking light)
- official Ragnar “Race Bible” (a.k.a. all the race rules, directions, runners’ leg maps, etc.)

Clothes:
- 4 t-shirts
- 1 long sleeve shirt (in case it gets cold at night)
- 1 sweatshirt
- 2 running crop pants
- 2 pairs of shorts
- 4 sports bras
- 4 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of undies
- 1 pair running shoes + 1 pair extra (in case the first pair get wet)
- flip flops

Hygiene:
- deodorant (!)
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- mouth wash
- sunscreen
- hair ties + bobby pins
- band-aids
- hand sanitizer
- body/face wipes (for lack of showers)
- extra toilet paper
- meds, inhaler, ibuprofen
- body glide
- contact case & solution

Gear:
- watch
- iPhone
- iPhone arm band
- ear buds

Extras:
- pillow
- sleeping bag
- extra money (gas, food)
- plastic bags
- garbage bag
- foam roller
- magazines

Sustenance:
- water bottle + jug of water
- Gatorade
- greek yogurt
- bananas
- mini bagels
- peanut butter
- fruit snacks
- pretzel/cracker snack mix
- ice
- cooler

Before…

After!

Wish me luck! See you in Chicago.

Tags: overnight relay, Ragnar Relay, what to pack