North Pole Marathon - Equipment List
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My equipment list may seem very long .... but almost every item here was used either by myself, or lent to others. Most other people took a similar amount.
Things I found really helpful include :-
- two sets of goggles, this allows one to thaw out in the mess tent ready for demisting and cleaning on a later lap
- spare balaclavas - I used two in the race, and a third afterwards.
- neoprene toe caps - they go between the socks, and are very comfortable
- the Atlas Dualtrac SLs are really comfortable, some other makes were awkward and heavy
- Merino wool liner gloves - excellent for keeping some warmth when the mitts are off
- mittens ... essential, gloves are indequate. I used two pairs as the racing pair became damp from perspiraton
- neck gaiter ... a new bit of kit for me, but very good for maintaining heat in the torso and neck
- oversized singlet - great for putting the number on !
- thermos, keeping drinks from freezing during the race is a problem
- the McMurdo down Parka was fantastic, its outer windproof layer is a plus over normal down jackets
- ski trousers, good for warmth post run
- taking some dehydrated food & fresh water (I took 3 litres) is a good idea, Russian supplies are a little random
Items I did not use include
- second down duvet jacket, the McMurdo Parka was enought. I lent my duvet out.
- all five balaclavas (!) ... three were adequate
For my feet post run, I used an old pair of plastic climbing boots. These kept my feet warm, but were a real nuisance to take on and off. Winter walking boots are only just adequate for standing around on ice at - 20 degC, and a pair of insulated boots is a better idea. These were readily available in Spitsbergen, but are harder to find in London !
I experimented with a normal running top in Oslo and Sweden over my wool base layer, but found it attracted water and chilled. Another runner used a dryfit top as as one of his layers, and similarly found it held water and cooled significantly. So wicking base layers over an insulating layer which breathes & idealy holds warmth when damp is a good idea, my Merino wool 320 weight top by "Icebreaker" worked well.
If I were going again, I would put in a small collapsable insulated bag for my run drinks & food, and put some chemical hand warmers around them to prevent them from freezing during the run. That way all supplies can be left outside - taking snowshoes off to get into the mess tent is a nuisance.
North Pole
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Run |
Feet |
Liner sock |
Merino wool - Smartwool |
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Running sock |
Thorlos |
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Neoprene toe caps (1.5mm) |
Snow & Rock Warm Toes |
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Thick hiking socks – wool |
Merino wool - Smartwool |
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Trail running shoes (oversize) |
Montrail Hurricane Ridge |
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Neoprene shoe cover |
Universal Bootglove |
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Snowshoes |
Atlas Dualtrac SL |
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Legs |
Windstopper underpants |
Helly Hanson |
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Lycra running shorts |
Mizuno |
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Thin Merino wool base layer |
Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 |
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Insulating windproof trousers |
Arc’Teryx Gamma MX Pant |
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Torso |
Heat rate monitor chest strap |
Polar |
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Thin Merino wool base layer |
Icebreaker Skin 200 |
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Long sleeve wicking vest |
Berghaus X-Static Top |
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Merino wool insulating layer |
Icebreaker Sport 320 |
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Gortex paclite windproof shell |
Montain Equipment Matrix Jacket |
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Charity running singlet |
XL size, to pin number on |
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Head |
Balaclava (wide opening) |
North Face |
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Neoprene fask mask |
Seirus |
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Goggles |
Oakley L Frame |
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Mountain cap, covers ears |
Lowe Alpine Casquette |
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Hands |
Liner gloves |
Merino wool – Icebreaker |
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Mittens |
Phoenix M Spirit Gortex Mitt |
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Heart rate monitor watch |
Polar S610 |
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GPS running watch |
Garmin Forerunner 205 |
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Run changes / alternates |
Feet |
Ice grips, pull over trainers |
Yaktrax Pro Ice Cleat |
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Torso |
Wicking base layer |
Helly hansen |
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Wicking running t-shirt |
Helly Hansen |
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Merino wool insulating layer |
Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 |
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Fleece insulating layer |
Berghaus |
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Head |
Balaclava (narrow opening) x 3 |
Terra Nova Powerstretch |
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Neoprene fask mask |
Seirus |
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Mountain cap, covers ears |
Event |
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Goggles |
Oakley L Frame |
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Standard Buff |
Buff |
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Polar Buff (with neck gaiter) |
Buff |
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Post run clothing |
Feet |
Liner sock x 2 |
Bridgedale Isolfil lycra |
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Thick hiking socks – wool |
Merino wool - Smartwool |
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Thick hiking socks – wool |
Bridgedale Summit |
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Plastic climbing boots |
Koflach (removable inners) |
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Gaiters |
Yeti gaiters, integral with boots |
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Chemical foot warmer |
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Legs |
Underpants x 2 |
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Wicking base layer |
Helly Hansen |
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Insulating leggings (Polartech) |
Lowe Alpine Power Stretch tights |
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Insulating duvet style trousers |
J.Linderberg ski trousers |
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Windproof shell, Gortex |
Berghaus Gortex Paclite |
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Torso |
Thin Merino wool base layer |
Icebreaker Skin 200 |
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Merino wool insulating layer |
Icebreaker Sport 320 |
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Fleece |
London marathon fleece |
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Down jacket with hood |
Rab |
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Windproof down Parka |
North Face McMurdo Parka |
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Head |
Balaclava (wide opening) |
Mountain Equipment |
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Beanie – wool |
Icebreaker merino wool |
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Neck gaiter |
Berghaus |
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Hands |
Liner gloves |
Merino wool – Icebreaker |
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Mittens |
Montain Equipment Pinnacle Mitt |
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Cheimcal hand warmers |
Hand hot pack – White Rock |
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Other Items |
Eyes |
Sunglasses |
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Prescription sunglasses |
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Prescription glasses |
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Contact lenses |
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Mirror |
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Skin |
Chapstick |
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Sunblock |
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Bodyglide |
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Hygiene |
Handwipes |
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Camping towel |
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Toothbrush / paste |
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Camera |
Digital camera |
Canon Ixus |
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Other |
Union Jack |
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Walking pole |
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Swiss army knife |
Rucksack |
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Notebook |
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Pen & Pencil |
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Map case |
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Laces |
Spare |
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Passport |
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Marathon fuel |
Gels & bars |
Energy gels x 4 |
SIS Isotonic energy gel |
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Energy bar x 1 |
GO Bar |
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Drinks |
Eectrolyte drink, 2 x 0.5 litre |
SIS GO Electrolyte powder mix |
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Energy drink, 1 x 0.5 litre |
SIS PSP 22 Energy powder mix |
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Recovery drink, 1 x 0.5 litre |
SIS Rego powder mix |
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Drink bottle, 1 x 0.5 litre |
SIS GO bottle |
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Drink bottle, 2 x 0.75 litre |
SIS GO bottles |
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Food & meals (36hr) |
Main meals |
Oatmeal |
In 0.5 litre tuppleware box |
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Beef Stroganoff |
Reiter dehydrated Travellunch |
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Chicken & Noodle Hot Pot |
Reiter dehydrated Travellunch |
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Vedgetable Risotto |
Reiter dehydrated Travellunch |
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Chocolate Mouse |
Reiter dehydrated Travellunch |
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Baked Beans, 2 x 200g cans |
Heinz |
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Rye bread, 500g |
Schneider Brot |
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Snacks |
Nuts / dry fruit x 2 |
300 g in total |
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Snicker bars (marathons) x 3 |
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Choclalate crème eggs x 8 |
Cadbury |
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Bottles |
Waterbottle, 1 litre x 2 |
Wide opening |
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Insulated mug |
With cover |
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Thermos, 0.5 litre |
Plastic |
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Other |
Spoon |
Plastic |
Spitsbergen
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Clothes |
Feet |
Socks x 2 |
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Legs |
Underpants x 2 |
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Trousers – walking |
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Torso |
Shirts x 2 |
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Hands |
Windstopper gloves |
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Other |
Computer |
Laptop |
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Power cords |
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USB cable for camera |
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Phone |
Work telephone |
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Camera |
Charger |
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Hygiene |
Electric shaver |
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Deodrant |
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