The kit we carry during our races is the subject of a lot of debate and discussions and while a lot of it is a personal choice, there are certain items that we insist you carry throughout the event, for your own safety. We ask you to therefore be sensible and not try to cheat the system for the sake of a few grams.
Of course, the term mandatory items should not be read as minimum items, and we encourage you to add to the list and pack according to your own needs and the weather conditions on then day.
We are fortunate to have The Ultramarathon Running Store as one of our race sponsors, who have agreed to offer all entrants to both events a one off discount of 15% on any items in their store.
Please read all of the following information carefully, to ensure there are no surprises ahead of race day. If you have any questions at all about kit then please feel free to reach out to us or Keith and the team directly.
Finally as a race team, we will continue to monitor conditions leading up to the event and may suggest or recommend additional items, including adding the mandatory kit list below, if we feel this is necessary.
All courses cover a wide range of terrain types but are mainly off-road, with mud and sand to be expected in many areas. As such, you should be wearing shoes appropriate for this kind of terrain. Road shoes are may not be sufficient and as such, we strongly recommend that all competitors wear trail shoes for both events.
While not an extensive list, you will need a backpack that you can both fit all the mandatory items in and easily access while running. As with footwear, this is a personal choice but it should be a pack you are familiar with and have tested out before the race.
Although most will finish before dark, with a cut-off of midnight, a head torch must be carried by all which is suitable for running at night across uneven terrain, with enough batteries to see you to the finish.
We recommend a waterproof jacket with taped seams and an adequate hood to protect you from the elements, should we have significant rain on the day. We are however prepared to accept one without these if that is what you prefer to bring, although you do so under the understanding that this is at your own risk.
This is a self navigated race and although the route is way-marked, some markers can be a long way apart, so it is essential that you have a map which provides you with the means of navigating the entire course. While guidance will be given during the race briefing and some signage may be added to the course, especially around checkpoints, a detailed route description will not be provided and you are expected to have familiarised yourself with the route.
A map on your phone or GPS device is an acceptable substitute for a paper-based map. Electronics fail and do funny things, so if you are planning to use this, ensure you have enough power for the time you expect to be out. Consider carrying a battery pack or a paper map as a back-up.
Finally, if using your phone, ensure all maps are available for offline access, should you not have mobile coverage throughout the course.
To add to the running adventure, checkpoints will be spaced roughly every 6-11 miles along the course. You are expected to carry sufficient fluid and food to sustain you between these. A minimum of a 750ml is required but you may want to consider carrying more, depending upon your speed and personal needs.
As with water (see above) pack sufficient food to ensure you have enough between checkpoints. Due to COVID, food items will be restricted at checkpoints, so you may wish to pack extra.
No cups will be provided at the checkpoints, so you are expected to carry one that is suitable for cold drinks. You may use a soft flask for this purpose if preferred.
You should have a fully charged mobile phone with you at all times, which is switched on so we can contact you if required. You should also have both race directors mobile numbers stored within this, details of which will be provided prior to the race. If you are planning to use the phone for music or as a GPS tracking device, then we would recommend you also carry a means to charge the phone, such as a small USB charging pack.
This will be attached to your pack at race registration and must be left in place and carried throughout the race.
A spare long sleeve top is highly recommended, depending on the weather forecast and if you expect to be running into the night. Check the weather and pack according to your own personal needs. Better to have too much than too little!
You may want to consider carrying a basic first aid kit, containing at a minimum plasters, paracetamol, any personal medication (in original packaging), self-adhesive bandage, personal blister kit.
You are allowed to use a GPS device during the race and detailed GPX downloads of each route will be made available prior to the event. Electronics do fail in cold and wet conditions, so you should also have a paper based map available to ensure you can still navigate should the worst happen.
Drop bags are not allowed during our summer events.
Darkside Running Ltd. 18 The Beach, Snettisham, Norfolk, PE31 7RB