What to Wear for a Spring Marathon
You have trained hard, put in the work, the consistency; now it’s time to put in the work on race day. When it comes to spring marathon season, it can be tough to know what to wear, especially with the weather varying from sunny to sleet and hail on the same day.
When you’re shivering in the starting corral, spring can feel like a very poor choice of season for a marathon, especially in the UK, with its notoriously unpredictable weather.
Spring marathons can present a bit of a problem when it comes to clothing choices. You don’t want to boil mid-run, but you also don’t want to freeze during slower stretches. In a typical April in the UK, daytime temperatures can range from 5 to 18°C, making it tricky to settle on the right kit for race day. So, to help you out, here is a guide to your spring marathon setup, from top to bottom. We also have a spring running kit guide for more general running in the UK spring, but this is your one-stop shop for spring marathon kit advice.
In this article:
The start line layer
Especially in spring, it is important to consider what your warm up layer is going to be. So, if your marathon falls on a cold day, bring layers with you that you can easily remove and store as you heat up later in the race.
Some racers start with an old hoodie or jumper, which they later strip off and leave on the side of the track or hand to a supporter in the crowd. This isn’t ideal, as it can create waste or slow you down as you look for somewhere to leave it. Instead, pack a lightweight outer layer that you can easily stuff into a race bag or pass to a loved one before you join the start line. For example, the Ronhill Wind Block ½ Zip will defend you from an icy wind as you start, but is also light and easy to pack without weighing you down later in the race.
The best shorts for running a marathon
It’s very important to pick the right shorts for running a marathon. Over 26.2 miles, minor chafing and irritation can turn into big problems.
For a start, you need to decide between shorts with a liner and those without. The advantage of a liner is that it can protect your legs and reduce friction. Lined (or ‘twin’) shorts can also be good for wicking away sweat and keeping your thighs dry. However, some people find them ‘clunky’ and restrictive. To work out what’s best for you, try out lined and unlined options before race day (and remember that fit really does matter here!)
You also need to decide what length of shorts you want to opt for. Longer shorts give more coverage, which can be good for that all-important confidence as you run. On the other hand, shorter shorts give you more flexibility and freedom of movement. If you can’t decide, try out split-style racer shorts - which, incidentally, were invented by our very own Ron Hill.
In terms of men’s marathon clothing, good lined shorts options include the Men’s Tech Race Twin Short and the Tech 5” Twin Short, which are designed to keep chafing to a minimum even on the longest of races. If you prefer an unlined short, try the Men’s Tech Race 5” Short, which gives your legs plenty of flexibility without riding too high up your legs.
For women, the Tech Race Twin Short is a fantastic lined option (and it has pockets!). For a more streamlined option with plenty of flexibility and coverage, try the Tech Race Stretch Short.
Vest or T-shirt - how to decide
Whether you’ll be better off wearing a vest or a t-shirt depends on the weather forecast for the day of the run and how your body responds to running. A vest can keep you cooler, but a short-sleeve technical t-shirt offers more coverage and more warmth in cooler temperatures.
When picking out women’s marathon clothing, it’s also important to consider the sports bra you’ve chosen and how it will impact your movement, comfort, confidence, and temperature underneath your top.
As a general rule, try to avoid cotton for running tops, as it holds moisture. This can make for a very uncomfortable run in the mid-late stages of the marathon. Instead, pick a technical fabric like the ones used for Ronhill men’s and women’s tech race vests. These vests are made from specially designed performance fabric that will draw moisture away from your skin and keep you cool throughout the marathon.
Marathon socks - the detail most runners overlook
Everyone knows that the right running shoes are very important, but many people overlook what they wear inside their running shoes. Getting the right socks for your marathon can make a huge difference to your performance and your comfort over the course of the run. The wrong socks will leave you with horrible blisters and feet soaked in sweat. The right socks will keep your feet chafe-free and dry, and support them over long marathon miles.
For marathon runners, the Ronhill Hilly Marathon Fresh socks use advanced tech fabrics to keep your feet comfortable, fresh, and odour-free throughout even the most arduous marathon.
The size (or ‘rise’) of your sock makes a difference depending on the type of running shoe you’ve opted for. Short, anklet-style socks are great for keeping your feet cool, but if your running shoes come higher up your ankle, you may find that the collar of your shoe irritates your legs over time. So, try out a range of socks and sizes with your chosen shoes to find which works best for you. Our Marathon Fresh range comes in Min and Med sizes, so there are options to suit every running shoe and style.
Some runners use double-layered socks like our twin-skin anklet to reduce friction, since the layers rub against one another rather than your skin. The Ronhill Hilly range has a double-layered design and moisture-wicking yarns to prevent blisters and draw sweat away from your soles.
Ideally, as mentioned, you should test out your socks before the race to make sure that they work well with your chosen running shoes. You don’t want to find out mid-race that your choice of socks doesn’t suit your shoes or your running style!
Three accessories worth thinking about
A few good running accessories can make race day easier for you. Here are three suggestions:
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A race number belt. Race numbers can get annoying pinned to your top, and often don’t make it to the end of the race. A race number belt will help you to keep your number safe and out of your face.
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Arm sleeves. Removable arm sleeves are often a better option than a throwaway layer, as they’ll keep your arms warm without being bulky and heavy to carry later in the race.
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A cap or visor. The spring sun can be very bright. Protect your eyes with a cap or visor (these also come in handy during light spring showers).
Your race day kit checklist
Think you’re ready? Not so fast! Use this race day kit checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need:
- Shorts - either lined or unlined, depending on what keeps you most fresh and chafe-free. Decide on your ideal length after testing out various options.
- Top - wear a vest or a t-shirt depending on the weather and your personal preferences. If you wear a sports bra, try out your chosen top with the bra you plan to use.
- Socks. It’s well worth putting some time and effort into testing out different lengths, types, and styles of socks. You might find that a double-layered sock is better for blister prevention, or that a longer length keeps your ankles more comfortable.
- Accessories. Things like number belts, caps/visors, arm sleeves, water holders, light running bags, and so on can all make a big difference to the ease and efficiency of your marathon. Again, however, test these out on a longish run before race day - you don’t want to find that an accessory is too bulky or just doesn’t work on the day itself.
- Shoes. We all know that it’s vital to get the right running shoes. Do your research and find the perfect shoe for your gait, weight, and running style.
We’ve said this a few times, but it bears repeating: before you start putting together your race day clothes, remember that the marathon itself shouldn’t be the first time you wear or use any piece of kit. Every piece of kit on this list should have two long training runs behind it before you pin on your number.
Lock in your race day kit for peak performance
Keep your race day setup consistent with your training. Do not use anything new on race day.
Check your shorts, top, socks, and shoes against your longest runs. Confirm that each item works over distance and does not cause discomfort.
Pack your start line layer and accessories based on the forecast. Lay out your kit the day before the race so you do not make last-minute decisions.
Every piece of kit in this list should have two long training runs behind it before you pin on your number.