Races: Packing Lists and Tips for the Hood to Coast Relay

For all of those runners trying to decide what to bring to Hood To Coast today, here is a packing list of some items that you will likely need. Try to pack lightly – which means bring the things that you’ll need to run three times, stay comfortable and well fed. Leave extras at home – that includes a lot of extra clothing, toiletries and gadgets. No one cares what you look like or smell like, so don’t worry about that.

Good luck and remember to share your race stories with me.

For Runners

Running Equipment
- Running shoes (one or two pairs)
- Cool weather running gear (long-sleeves or sweats) for two segments
- Warm weather running gear (short sleeves and shorts) for two segments
- Running socks (three pairs)
- Under-wear or jog bras for running (three sets)
- Running hat (one or two)
- Water carrier / water bottle
- Watch
- Flashlight or headlamp (if not provided by your van)
- Hydration drink (Gluekos, Nuun, etc.)
- Energy food (Gu, PowerBars, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent

Non-Running Equipment
- Two changes of dry clothing
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Socks
- Warm socks (for sleeping or hanging around at night)
- A light jacket, sweats, hat and mittens (for hanging around the mountain and sleeping at night)
- Sleeping bag
- Money (including some cash for buying food in exchange zones or small stores)
- Food (bring nourishing, non-perishable foods that don’t require preparation)
- Camera
- Cell phone
- Prescription medications
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Small towel

For Van Captains
- Cell phones (at least two per van) or two-way radios (one per van)
- Extra flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Two reflective vests (per van)
- Blister pads or athletic tape for blister repair
- First-aid kit (one per van)
- Toilet paper
- Vaseline or BodyGlide
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- Clipboard and pens
- Your timing spreadsheets or calculations
- Cell phone numbers for at least two people in each van
- Timing system (see note below)
- Power converter to plug in standard electronics such as cell phones in the vans
- Hood to Coast Driver’s Manual with maps, driving instructions, and information
- Hood to Coast packet with van road access pass (usually only one van has this for access to the roads in the Coast Range)
- Runner Numbers and shirts

Notes on Timing Systems
When it comes to timing systems there are several ways that timing can be captured. The tried and true method is to attach two stop watches to a clipboard with your timing sheet (provided by HTC). On one of the watches, you’ll capture the splits as the exchanges happen and then write them down on the timing sheet. Leave the other one running as a back-up in case something goes wrong with the other watch and you need to re-calculate the time from the start.

Another option is to purchase a Hood to Coast timing application called H2C Clipboard for the Palm OS. You’ll need a Palm Pilot or another Palm-based device to run it. It’s a very cool little application that does a lot of the work for you.

Finally, there are also timing systems such as the Seiko 300 Lap Memory Stopwatch and Printer System sold for track and field events that are made for timing relays. This type of devices can capture up to 300 splits and has a printer to allow you to print the splits to attach to the clipboard. This device might be pricey for more people, but I’ve provided a link to purchase one. You might also ask your local track or cross-country coaches if you can borrow one of these units.

Related articles:
Tips: Final preparations for the Hood to Coast Relay

How do you prepare for a multi-leg relay like Hood to Coast?

Coach Joe English, Portland Oregon, USA
Running Advice and News
www.running-advice.com

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