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Marathon ControlTrain 26.2. Execute 26.2.

Marathon field manual

Marathon Race-Day Checklist

Lock transport, clothing, pace, fuel, weather adjustments, and finish-area logistics before the gun.

Plain answerPrepare one race card containing start time, transport, bag rules, clothing, pace ceiling, fuel times, water plan, weather adjustments, emergency information, and finish meeting point. Lay out tested gear the night before. Race morning should execute decisions, not create them.

Before leaving

  • Bib and required identification
  • Tested shoes, socks, clothing, and weather layers
  • Charged watch and phone with offline event information
  • Practiced breakfast, fuel, and permitted carrying system
  • Medication and emergency/contact information
  • Transport plan with road-closure buffer

At the venue

  • Locate bag drop, toilets, corral, aid information, and exits.
  • Use only the warm-up practiced for a marathon.
  • Settle behind runners expecting a similar pace.
  • Review the opening ceiling and first fuel time.

On course

Avoid weaving, follow officials and course markings, and use the race card. Instant GPS pace can drift around buildings, turns, tunnels, and measured-course tangents. Use mile or kilometer markers to audit—not to panic.

After the finish

Keep moving as directed, collect belongings, change for the conditions, begin familiar food and fluid, and use the prearranged meeting point. Seek medical help for concerning symptoms rather than trying to leave the finish area unsupported.

Source checkBoston Marathon athlete information
Race-specific rules, allowed items, aid details, transport, and event instructions should always outrank a generic checklist.
Race cardNothing new. Nothing missing. No optional decision before 30K.

Keep the ordinary weeks moving

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