The Best Running Kit for a Marathon or Half Marathon

Seasonal Running & Racing: What to Wear,Marathon & Half-Marathon Training Advice

Putting in all those miles of training is of course a big factor in reaching the finish line of a marathon or half-marathon. But it can be just as important to get the right kit, and to give yourself enough time to test it before a race. With this simple checklist, we hope to get you race-ready and flying through the finish line with a smile. So what are the 9 must-haves for marathon & half-marathon runners?

Running Shoes / Running Clothing / GPS Running Watches / Running Socks / Compression Gear / Other Accessories / Nutrition / Chafe & Blister Prevention / Supports & Injury Care

1. Running Shoes

In case you've suddenly realised that your current shoes have done way too much mileage than they should have, or they're causing you some problems, just pop in. The friendly expert teams in our London, Edinburgh and Cardiff branches are happy to help you! With our Natural Gait Analysis service we'll make sure that your shoes are still the right ones for you and won't bring you any surprises on race day. If you can't make it to a store, check out Online Gait Analysis.

2. Running Clothing

When running long distances, it's especially important to wear technical running gear with excellent moisture-wicking properties and breathability. On top of that, you will also appreciate having plenty of storage space in your shorts to carry your energy chews and gels.

All Men's Clothing / All Women's Clothing

Men's Ronhill Tech Marathon Tee
Black/Blue £40.00

Carefully designed to help you go the distance. The breathable, high-wicking fabric is crafted from super-soft performance yarn that’s chafe-free.

Men's Ronhill Tech Marathon Twin Shorts
Black £50.00

Perfect bottoms for a longer distance, thanks to the great combination of freedom and support. Multitude of storage options.

Men's Odlo Blackcomb Ceramicool Tee
Blue £50.00

This lightweight running top features ceramic compounds that actively cool the skin by up to 1°C. Seamless construction for chafe-free comfort.

Women's Ronhill Tech Marathon Tee
Blue/Purple £40.00

One of the most breathable and high-wicking Ronhill tops. Super-soft, high-stretch seamless knit construction for zero chafing.

Women's Ronhill Tech Marathon Twin Shorts
Black £50.00

Super-technical and packed with features to help you keep going, and going, and going. Plenty of storage room for your fuel and essentials.

Women's Odlo Zeroweight Engineered Tee
Blue £50.00

Chill-Tec active cooling technology and ZeroScent odour control technology will help you feel fresh and as cool as can be on your long run.

3. Running Watches

A GPS running watch is a great companion for runners, and even more so for a race. It can help you during your training to measure your distance, time, speed, heart rate etc. It will also track your stats and give you detailed running data. The models featured below tick all the boxes.

In addition, some models will also offer you training plans to follow (Garmin Forerunner 245, Garmin Forerunner 55) or they will even create a personal training plan for you based on your individual metrics (Polar Vantage M2). Some watches can help prevent injury by giving you advice on your recovery or notifying you when it’s time to rest up (Coros Apex Premium, Polar Ignite 2, Polar Vantage M2).

All GPS Running Watches

Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Watch
Black/Slate £250.00

Chasing a PB? Thanks to this watch you will now know what your estimated finish time is.

Polar Vantage M2 Multisport Watch
Black/Grey £270.00

Tracks your sleep and recovery so you know when you can safely push your body further.

Garmin Forerunner 55
White £179.99

PacePro technology with its GPS-based pace guidance will help you to plan your race-day strategy.

Polar Ignite 2
Ivory £199.50

With the Fitspark feature you’ll receive custom-made workout suggestions based on your goals.

Coros Pace 2 Premium GPS Sport Watch
Navy £179.99

This model offers 30 hours of full GPS battery life and 20 days of daily use.

4. Running Socks

Runners don't always realise how important it is to have a pair of proper running socks. If you think an old pair of regular socks will do, you may find yourself having to stop to adjust them a few times during a race, or even end up with a few unwelcome blisters. To keep your feet comfy, fresh and blister-free throughout the race, we recommend you invest in a pair of technical running socks. Here are some of our top tips:

All Running Socks

Injinji Run Lightweight Mini-Crew Toe Socks
Grey £14.99

The 5-toe design eliminates skin on skin contact between toes helping blister prevention.

Hilly Lite Comfort Quarter Socks
Grey/Blue £12.00

A lightweight, soft-feel sock in an ankle length design. "Y" fit heel prevents slippage.

Balega Enduro Quarter Socks
Black/Grey £13.00

Natural wool fibres wick sweat and help to regulate temperature, keeping your feet cool and dry.

Injinji Run Lightweight No Show Toe Socks
Black/Red £14.00

The 5-toe design & superior fibre construction keep feet dry and protected on any surface, at any distance.

Women's Hilly Lite Comfort Socklets
Blue £12.00

Minimal cushioned sock with seamless toe construction. Ventilated mesh fabric to keep the foot cool and dry.

Thorlo Experia Ocean Breeze Socks
Pink £12.50

ThorWick Cool® for moisture management. Mesh upper for maximum breathability.

5. Compression Gear

According to research, compression wear reduces exercise-induced muscle damage, accelerates recovery processes, removes lactic acid faster, increases strength and power, improves endurance, increases muscle oxygenation, and improves body temperature control.

All Compression Running Clothing

Men's Skins Long Tights Series 3
Black £100.00

Firm support for the calves, glutes, quads and hamstrings. Great for reducing muscle fatigue.

Compressport R2V2 Calf Guards V3
Blue £32.00

Designed to reduce shock waves, helping to prevent muscle tears, joint pain and muscle fatigue.

Men's Skins Series 3 Half Tights
Black £75.00

Firm support for the glutes, quads and hamstrings. Side mesh panel pocket for smartphone storage.

Women's Skins Skyscraper Tights Series 3
Burgundy £100.00

A reduction in muscle vibration and distortion during activity reduces fatigue.

Compressport R2V2 Calf Guards V3
Black £32.00

A great aid for long distance runners, or runners with calf / Achilles injuries, shin splints etc.

Women's Compressport Trail Under Control Half Tights 2021
Black £95.00

Boosted blood flow oxygenates muscles faster, allowing you to run faster, for longer. Women's-specific cut.

6. Running Accessories

These running accessories won’t make your marathon or half-marathon distance shorter, but they can definitely make it more enjoyable. Running caps and sunglasses will keep you protected from the sun, and race belts come handy for carrying essentials.

All Sunglasses / All Caps / All Waist Belts

Ronhill Air-Lite Split Cap
Dark Blue/Lime £18.00

Fantastic cap with a lightweight, breathable design and comfy soft feel. Easy-to-store.

Sunwise Greenwich Polarised Sunglasses
Navy £59.99

Highly efficient, impact-resistant and safe polarised lenses for strong sun protection.

Odlo Visor Cap Ceramicool Light
White £20.00

Ceramicool technology on the forehead band actively cools your skin by up to 1°C.

Running Belt With Window
Black £27.00

Separate compartment for your phone and another one for extras such as keys and energy gels.

Fitletic Hydration Belt 16oz
Black £37.00

Two 8oz BPA-free bottles and a neoprene water-resistant pouch for any size of phone.

7. Running Nutrition

Energy (e.g. Maurten Gel 100, Maurten Drink Mix 320, Lucho Dillitos,) and electrolytes (e.g. Nuun Tabs, Saltstick Fastchews) are important to take before and during a run. Protein, on the other hand, is crucial after your run to help your muscles with recovery (e.g. SIS Rego Rapid Recovery Drink, Pulsin Protein Bar). Test your nutrition on your training runs to make sure you get on well with it during a race.

All Drink Powders / All Energy Chews / All Energy Gels

Maurten Gel 100 Box
White/Black £32.40

Energy gel built with six natural ingredients – no colourants or preservatives.

Maurten Drink Mix 320 Sachets
Black £3.48

The most carbohydrate-rich sports drink on the market. Popular with elite marathon runners.

Lucho Dillitos Guava Paste
Guava £1.50

Energy bar with only natural ingredients in it. Packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre.

Nuun Sport Tabs
Lemon Lime £7.00

Perfect for mineral replenishment and optimal hydration before / during / after your run.

REGO Rapid Recovery Protein Drink 500g (NEW FORMULA)
Strawberry £13.25

Replenishes your energy stores, promotes muscle recovery and supports your immune system.

SaltStick Fastchews
Lemon £3.00

Stay hydrated, enhance stamina and prevent muscle cramps with these 4 key electrolytes.

8. Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention

Some runners think that a marathon equals painful chafing and blisters. But all that can be avoided thanks to these great little helpers. BodyGlide is an amazing, miraculous, invisible lubricant that glides over your skin and leaves a protective, slick layer, thus cutting down on friction-induced problems. Apply to your feet or underwear area to keep blisters and chafing at bay. Nip Guards are great protection for male runners. And Compeed could save your feet if the worst comes to the worst. Best to put it on your hot spots in advance.

All Anti-Chafe & Blister Prevention

Original Anti-Chafe Balm 22g
£12.00

If you've ever suffered from chafing, nipple rub, skin abrasion from a heart-rate monitor belt or running bra, then here's your solution!

Men's Nip Guards
Neutral £13.00

100% protection against nipple chafing and blistering, just pop them on before a race.

Compeed Blister Pads Medium
£4.80

The best solution for friction-induced blistering. To be used for treatment or prevention.

9. Supports & Injury Care

In case you picked up any niggles or feel any aches, these magical bits and bobs can decrease your discomfort and help you through your race with less pain. Rocktape is a kinesiology tape that offers fantastic support for runners suffering from knee pain, ITB, shin splints of plantar fasciitis. And to massage your sore muscles before or after training, try a massage aid and/or BioFreeze Gel.

All Supports & Tape / All Muscle Recovery / All Massage Aids

Rocktape
Navy £13.50

Lifts skin to relieve inflammation. It can aid recovery, prevent fatigue, relieve pain and swelling.

Trigger Point STK Contour Massage Stick
Black/Orange £31.99

Excellent tool for warm-up to prepare for movement, and in cool-down to help with recovery.

Flow Mini Massage Gun
Black/Blue £149.00

‘Must-have' gadget for anyone training hard. It accelerates warm-up of muscles before exercise.

Trigger Point The Grid Foam Roller
Black £40.00

A revolutionary type of foam roller which is great for either self-massage or warming up.

Fitness-Mad Foot Roller
Green £12.50

Helps to relieve foot, heel & plantar fasciitis pain. Ease tight muscles of the feet before or after exercise.

Biofreeze Gel 30ml
£3.30

Helps to relieve pain from sprains, strains, swellings, inflammations, sore muscles & joints etc.

Best of luck with your training and preparation! Get loads more free tips from our expert advice team in this Run Better section:

MARATHON & HALF-MARATHON TRAINING ADVICE

Evelyn Romero

More by this author »

Half-Marathon Training Schedule »

10 Tips for the Week of a Marathon / Half Marathon »