The Complete NYC Marathon Packing List (2026)

The TCS New York City Marathon is Sunday, November 1, 2026. Here is everything we could think of, from the expo to the finish line, so you can check your bag before you fly or drive in.

Do you need all of it? Probably not. Will it jog your memory about something you forgot? That's the hope. We also include some of our go-to picks, but remember: nothing new on race day. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Your Race

• ☐ Bib - You'll need it to get into the athlete's village and for your results to count. Expo is at the Javits Center, October 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (bib pickup closes 7:30 p.m.), and October 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (bib pickup closes 4:30 p.m.). Pick your time slot in the NYRR dashboard. Slots can be changed until October 31 at 4 p.m. ET. Yes, I have forgotten my bib before...
• ☐ Racing Shoes - Seems obvious, but that's what makes them so easy to forget. If you're flying in, pack your racing shoes in your carry-on or wear them. These are the one thing you can't replace in the city if lost. Well, you can, but then you're breaking in a fresh pair.
• ☐ Running Shirt - Singlet, tshirt, whatever you prefer. Make sure it's something you've run in before and is comfortable.
• ☐ Sports Bra - Simply put, if this is something you wear, don't forget it! The Senita Athletics Back Pocket Sports Bra is highly recommended.
• ☐ Running Shorts / Tights - Same as the above, make sure they're comfortable and you've run in them before.
• ☐ Running Underwear - If you wear something under your shorts (instead of a built-in liner), don't forget to bring yourself a clean pair to start with. Runderwear makes running specific underwear to prevent chafing and for maximum comfort.
• ☐ Running Socks - I think we all have a weird preferred pair of socks that we race in. I've worn everything from your basic PUMA sock to Balegas and have had my eye on Feetures because I love the name!
• ☐ Running Watch - Almost as important as the shoes on your feet, don't forget your watch! I just got a Garmin Forerunner 965 and have been loving the AMOLED screen and long battery life. And don't forget your charger!
• ☐ Watch Charger - In fact, this deserves its own bullet point. Don't forget your watch charger! If you've got the 965 above, they make a cute little one on a stand.
• ☐ Hat / Visor - If you wear one, of course! Our recommended hat is the Ciele Athletics GOCap SC.
• ☐ Sunglasses - Rain or shine, I always wear sunglasses if only to protect my eyes from the wind. I've been wearing the same pair of Goodr sunglasses for years and they have never failed me.
• ☐ Anti-Chafe - Better safe than sorry. We've had good success with Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti Chafe Salve.
• ☐ Handheld Bottle - If you've been training with a handheld and want to bring your own hydration on course with you. I use the Nathan SpeedDraw Plus for every race, but I've also heard great things about their commonly sold out soft flask as well.
• ☐ Nutrition - Something new on race day could really screw you up here. Make sure you bring what you've been training with, and don't try anything new even if they offer it on the course. The 2025 course listed Gatorade Endurance at most miles from 3 to 25 and Maurten gels at miles 12 and 18. We haven't confirmed the 2026 list, so pack your own plan mile by mile and a few extra in case you have a gu-splosion in your bag.
• ☐ Headphones - Trust me, you should try to run without headphones for New York. It's so much fun to take in the city, and I promise you won't get bored. But if you must, open ear Shokz headphones can give you the best of both worlds.
• ☐ Arm Band - If you've been holding your phone in an arm band while you run, this is one marathon where you'll want your phone with you for both pre and post race communication. The TRIBE Cell Phone Armband has been with me on every race I've had my phone with me and almost every training run.
• ☐ Flip Belt - Armband not your style? Our recommended Flip Belt can hold your phone and nutrition.
• ☐ Heart Rate Strap - If you're tracking your heart rate with a separate monitor and want to use it on race day, don't forget to bring it. Our top HR monitor is the Polar H10.
• ☐ Safety Pins - They'll have these at the expo, but I typically like to bring my own just in case I lose them.
• ☐ Bib Holder - If you don't like the safety pins and have your own method of attaching your bib, bring it along. But I wouldn't try one of these if I haven't raced in one before.
• ☐ Sunscreen - You'll be out there for hours and while the sun isn't too much of an issue this time of year, if you're sensitive you may want to bring some along. Sun Bum is vegan and reef friendly.
• ☐ Chapstick - Similar to sunscreen, you'll want to protect your lips from the sun and the wind. Chapstick with SPF is a good idea.
• ☐ KT Tape / Medical Tape - You can typically pick this up in any drug store in the city, but if you have a specific brand you like, bring it along. KT Tape is a popular choice.
• ☐ Bobby Pins / Hair Ties - These are so easy to forget! Bobby Pins and Hair Ties are a must if you have long hair.

Bags and the Start Village

The 2026 bag rules are narrow. Read this before you pack anything you plan to keep.

• ☐ Official clear bag - Pick it up at the expo. It is the only bag allowed into the athlete's village on Staten Island. Security checks bags at the entrance, and your bib needs to be visible to get in.
• ☐ No separate garbage bag - Skip the clear garbage bag you might have used in past years. Use the official clear bag as your sit pad instead. The rule allows one bag.
• ☐ No bag check at the start - There is no bag transport from the village to the finish on race day. Anything you want after the race has to go through the pre-check bag.
• ☐ Bag pre-check bag - Only if you chose it at registration (that window closed September 8). Collect it at the expo, then drop it at Central Park West between West 74th and West 75th Streets on October 30 or 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• ☐ Prohibited items - Read NYRR's prohibited-items list before you pack, and check it again if you change your gear.

Before The Race

See our start line guide for the full athlete's village walkthrough. Here is the gear list from that post:

• ☐ Food & Drink - make sure you bring your tried and tested pre-race fueling (that includes breakfast!). There will be plenty of water, bagels, Gatorade Endurance and coffee in the village, but remember not to try anything new.
• ☐ Hat & Gloves - Keep your extremities warm with a donatable pair of hat and gloves.
• ☐ Long Sleeve Hoodie - A hoodie can be donated before the start, keep you warm, and has a hood in case it's windy while you wait.
• ☐ Sweat Pants - A warm pair of sweatpants to keep the legs warm. Something to strip and donate before heading to the start line.
• ☐ Clear Poncho - A clear poncho can keep you warm, provide something to sit on, and keep you dry if it rains. Ponchos aren't covered by the bag rules on the NYRR pages we checked, but confirm at the expo.
• ☐ Mylar Space Blanket - A mylar sheet is another great way to stay warm and is small enough to fit in your pocket. I try to re-use one I got at the end of a previous race!
• ☐ Hand Warmers - Really cold? Hand warmers can keep your hands warm and can be placed in your shoes or gloves to keep your feet warm.
• ☐ Sunscreen - Good to reapply before the start, you're going to be in the sun for a few more hours. Sun Bum is vegan and reef friendly.
• ☐ Chapstick - Protect your lips from the sun and wind. Chapstick with SPF is a good idea.
• ☐ Dude Wipes - Great to have in case the porta-potties run out of toilet paper. Not just for dudes.

After the Finish

Plan your meeting spot the night before. You will not want to solve logistics after 26.2 miles.

• ☐ Family reunion area - Central Park West between West 63rd and West 66th Streets, organized alphabetically by runner last name. Family and friends should arrive 20 to 30 minutes after the runner's expected finish, without large bags or strollers.
• ☐ Exit route - Runners leave the park at West 77th Street, where photographers line up along Central Park West. Keep a dry layer ready for the walk out.
• ☐ Charged phone - Pick a meeting spot the night before, and keep a backup time in case messages don't go through.

More NYC Marathon Guides

• Start Line Survival Guide: What to expect at athlete's village on Staten Island.
• Mile-by-Mile Race Strategy: Course breakdown with pacing tips from the Verrazano to Central Park.

Thanks for reading! We'll update this article if we have any new tips to share. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us via email contact@racecast.io or Instagram. Good luck!