Packing checklist (from the first year of Madison-Chicago, 2005)

The team will provide the following items in each van:

• GMR-required safety gear (blinky vest & headlamp)
• Printed copies of routes and event handbook for van driver/navigator use
• Printed copy of each route for the runner to carry, pin to shirt or tatoo to self
• Bottled water and sports beverages
• Cooler and ice
• Fruit (bananas, grapes, apples)
• Energy bars of some sort
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Acetaminophen
• Baby wipes & powder
• Toilet Paper
• Plastic grocery bags (for stinky clothes)
• Safety pins (for attaching numbers)
• First aid kit
• Pens for writing down times or drawing funny pictures
• Cell phone
• Gas money

Personal items (stuff you'll want to bring for yourself):

• Three (or more) sets of: running gear: shirt, shorts, socks, hat
• Running shoes (I know, duh, but you'd sure feel dumb if you forgot 'em)
• Sunglasses, hat, sweatbands
• Watch, GPS, MP3 player or your electronic toys of choice
• Fanny pack to carry water and cell phone while running
• Sandals or other shoes to wear while not running
• Hand and/or beach towel (for swimming)
• Warm-up clothes and/or jammies to wear while not running (or just change into your gear for your next run)
• Wind breaker / rainproof jacket
• Bed roll, sleeping bag or mat + blanket
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Money for meals, ice cream, bail

Additional optional items (depending on personal preferences and weather):

• Any of the team-provided items for which you have preferred brands you can't live without (such as pain reliever, bug spray, sunscreen, energy bars/drinks)
• Long sleeve shirt for cold/night run
• Gloves for cold weather
• Bag that can be used as a pillow
• Cell phone for complaining to family about aches, pains or stinky vanmates

Visual guide to packing stuff