Whether you’re running a marathon or following a marathon training schedule to reach a new personal best, the right gear can help you take those 26.2 miles in stride. So how do you know what to wear on the day of the race?
Marathons, half-marathons, or shorter races: they happen no matter what the weather. Rain or shine, your race day clothes should keep you dry and comfortable mile after mile. As a color and materials designer for adidas, Pete Bergeron makes it his business to dial into what distance runners need from their gear. He runs marathon distances of 20-40 miles per run every week. Check out his tips for selecting your ideal marathon outfit:
WHAT TO WEAR DURING A MARATHON: TRAIN LIKE IT’S THE BIG DAY
When you’re training for a marathon, you can be extra prepared by training in similar conditions that you expect for race day. If your race has hills, train with hills. If there could be rain, run in the rain. To some degree, this should hold true for your race day outfit as well. Consider the weather you’re expecting during the race: will you wear tights or shorts? A t-shirt, a tank, or a sports bra? Try to train in similar clothes to what you’ll wear on the day of the marathon — or mix it up and make sure you train in a few different combinations of gear, so you’ll be ready for whatever the race brings.
ESSENTIAL MARATHON RUNNING GEAR
Keep our list of basics handy for building out your running wardrobe rain or shine. The key is having lightweight tech layers that can come off before the race, or during, and be packed or transported easily while you run.
BEFORE AND AFTER RACE ITEMS
- Bag for your gear
- Sunscreen
- Jacket/warmups before the race begins
- Anti-chafing stick
- Water or drinks with electrolytes
- Towel
- Bandages
MARATHON GEAR OR LONG-DISTANCE RUNNING GEAR
- Supernova short-sleeve tees – Bergeron’s favorite
- Supernova long-sleeve tees – Bergeron’s favorite
- Sports bra
- Sweat wicking running tights
- Running vest, shell or jacket
- Sweat-wicking running shorts
- Sweat-wicking, lightweight socks
- Adizero Boston Running shoes – Bergeron’s favorite for training
- Adizero Adios Running shoes – Bergeron’s recommendation for race day
- Graphic Boost Running shoes – Bergeron's favorite for trails
- Billed hat or beanie
- Hydration pack or fanny pack with water
RAINY DAY MARATHONS
“I love running in the rain,” says Bergeron. A lighter drizzle, in moderate temperatures is common in the Pacific Northwest and can help to lower body temperature, which typically rises 10-15 degrees while running. If you run long-distances in the cold and rain, your body will eventually start losing heat production as you become more tired. That’s where smart choices in the type of clothing and layers can preserve heat, avoiding a longer recovery or the risk of hypothermia. Wearing performance, sweat-wicking fabrics moves moisture away from the body creating a pocket of air next to the skin that retains warmth.
For cooler, wet climates Bergeron says he starts his layers with “a t-shirt up top — as long as it’s not cotton, I’m good. I wear Supernova most [of the] time. I prefer really soft loose-fitting t-shirts.” He wears a beanie and running tights when it’s 35°F or below for warmth and doesn’t recommend waterproof running shoes when running for long distances in the rain, since they don’t always allow the same breathability that non-waterproof shoes do.
TIPS FOR PRE-MARATHON RUNNING
People getting ready for their first marathon commonly want to know:
1. Should I practice in my marathon gear?
Answer: If you trained in all the potential conditions of the race day, then your body will be acclimated to whatever weather that might happen. This means that the type of gear you train in should be the same type of gear you race in.
2. How many miles should I run in my marathon shoes?
Answer: Bergeron’s advice on shoes is, “if you find a pair of shoes that you enjoy running in, go get two more pairs and rotate through.” He loves the Adizero Boston for hitting the pavement during the week. When he’s running an average of 30 miles per day, he doesn’t wear the same pair of Adizero Bostons twice in a row. By rotating duplicates of his favorite make and model his foot is always acclimated, then “they’re still in good shape; they haven’t been overused in training.”
You should always train at least 10 miles in the shoe you plan to wear on race day. There are too many unknowns if you wear a shoe that hasn’t been broken in. Eliminating as many unknowns for race day is critical to remaining as comfortable as possible.
3. How do I deal with chafing?
Answer: “Anti-chafing formula, usually in a stick form, is a must,” says Bergeron. “I’ve gotten into three miles of a 30-mile run before turning it into a 36-mile run because I had to go back and get my anti-chafing stick.” For more ideas, check out our tips to prevent chafing.
Pro tip: Bergeron sets near empty bottles aside, then brings one with him on a long run to minimize the weight he’s carrying.
Answer: Outfit swaps make the most sense for ultra-marathons where there are various points established to pick up your drop bags and make swaps, grab food, or leave items. If needed, take an extra pair of lightweight socks or a t-shirt to swap out when half-way through. That’s a decision based on what you’re most comfortable with as you’ve built up your long-distance training.
Once you cross the finish line, it’s time to celebrate your success and recover. If you’re training for a race, share your marathon pictures with us by tagging @adidasrunning on Instagram and Twitter.