Mandatory Gear

Mandatory gear is an essential part of trail running and helps keep you safe in changing weather conditions and remote environments. The required gear for each race has been determined based on factors such as distance, terrain, weather exposure, aid station spacing, remoteness and access to emergency assistance.

All items listed below are mandatory and must be carried with you at all times whilst on course. Mandatory gear is not intended to be left in drop bags, with crew or at aid stations unless specifically stated.

Mandatory gear checks may be conducted at Registration / Bib Collection for selected races. Spot checks may also be carried out on course or at the finish line for any event. Penalties, including time penalties or disqualification, may be applied for missing mandatory gear, depending on the severity of the breach.

Please expect to carry the full mandatory gear list shown below on race day. SingleTrack reserves the right to add, remove or modify items in the days leading up to the event based on weather forecasts or other safety considerations. Any changes will be communicated to participants before the race.

No Gear = No Start

Please bring all mandatory gear with you to the event. Runners who do not present the required gear at registration or mandatory gear check may not be permitted to start.

Trail running is an adventure, but self-sufficiency is part of the sport. Please take the mandatory gear requirements seriously and ensure you understand what is required before arriving at the event.

CheckList for each Race

    • 2L Liquid Storage Capacity

    • Fully Charged Smartphone

    • Digital Offline Mapping

    • Snake Bite Bandage (minimum 10cm × 2m)

    • Waterproof Jacket with Hood

    • Long Sleeve Thermal Top (minimum 150 GSM)

    • Emergency Survival Blanket

    • Warm Headwear

    • Warm Full Finger Gloves

    • Waterproof Gloves

    • Two (2) Working Torches

    • One (1) Spare Torch Battery

    • Waterproof Pants

    • Thermal Long Pants

    • Additional Warm Layer (250+ GSM Fleece or Equivalent)

    • Ice Bandana or Neck Cooler (Recommended)

    • Collapsible Cup (recommended)

    • 2L Liquid Storage Capacity

    • Fully Charged Smartphone

    • Digital Offline Mapping

    • Snake Bite Bandage (minimum 10cm × 2m)

    • Waterproof Jacket with Hood

    • Long Sleeve Thermal Top (minimum 150 GSM)

    • Emergency Survival Blanket

    • Warm Headwear

    • Warm Full Finger Gloves

    • Waterproof Gloves

    • Two (2) Working Torches

    • One (1) Spare Torch Battery

    • Waterproof Pants

    • Thermal Long Pants

    • Additional Warm Layer (250+ GSM Fleece or Equivalent)

    • Ice Bandana or Neck Cooler (Recommended)

    • Collapsible Cup (recommended)

    • 1L capacity of liquid storage (Zip Lock bags are not accepted).

    • Fully charged Smart Phone that is NOT in airplane mode.

    • GPX file on watch or AVENZA Map on phone.

    • Snake Bite Bandage (not less than 10cm x 2m). We recommend SMART bandage (LINK HERE with valuable information on snake bites as well).

    • Waterproof Jacket with hood - Must be made with a waterproof and breathable membrane. The hood must be attached to the jacket by the original manufactured design and must be seam sealed. Must be suitable for protection in bad weather in the mountains.

    • Long sleeve thermal top - Polypropylene or wool textile only with a minimum fabric weight of 150 GSM (medium weight). Must be designed for active use in cold environments, with good moisture-wicking and insulating properties.

    • Ice Bandana / Neck Cooler (recommended if warm). There will be ice at all aid stations. The T8 neck coolers are very easy to use and cover the neck perfectly.

    • Collapsible cup 150ml (recommended, this is a cup free event).

    • 500ml capacity of liquid storage (Zip Lock bags are not accepted).

    • A working torch - headtorch or any torch that is separate to your watch or phone.

    • Fully charged Smart Phone that is NOT in airplane mode.

    • GPX file on watch or AVENZA Map on phone.

    • Waterproof Jacket with hood - Must be made with a waterproof and breathable membrane. The hood must be attached to the jacket by the original manufactured design and must be seam sealed. Must be suitable for protection in bad weather in the mountains.

    • Collapsible cup 150ml (recommended, this is a cup free event).

  • Team Relay members can relay the mandatory gear from runner to runner.

    • 2L capacity of liquid storage (Zip Lock bags are not accepted).

    • Fully charged Smart Phone that is NOT in airplane mode - low power mode is recommended.

    • GPX file on watch or AVENZA Map on phone.

    • Snake Bite Bandage (not less than 10cm x 2m). We recommend SMART bandage (LINK HERE with valuable information on snake bites as well).

    • Waterproof Jacket with hood. Must be made with a waterproof and breathable membrane. The hood must be attached to the jacket by the original manufactured design and must be seam sealed. Must be suitable for protection in bad weather in the mountains.

    • Long sleeve thermal top made of polypropylene or wool textile only with a minimum fabric weight of 150 GSM (medium weight). Must be designed for active use in cold environments, with good moisture-wicking and insulating properties.

    • Survival / Emergency Blanket.

    • Warm headwear (beanie, buff or balaclava).

    • Warm full fingered gloves.

    • Waterproof gloves - Large dishwashing gloves are acceptable.

    • Two (2) working torches - one with spare batteries (only Leg 4 runners).

    • Waterproof Pants.

    • Thermal long pants - Polypropylene or wool textile only.

    • Additional Warm Layer - A heavy weight insulating layer such as a 250 - 350+ GSM fleece or a heavy weight merino top (minimum 250 GSM) designed for cold conditions. Must provide significant insulation for static periods or emergencies.

    • Ice Bandana / Neck Cooler (recommended if warm). There will be ice at all aid stations. The T8 neck coolers are very easy to use and cover the neck perfectly.

    • Collapsible cup 150ml (recommended, this is a cup free event).

ITem details 

  • You must carry the minimum liquid storage capacity specified for your race. This can be carried in any combination of bottles, soft flasks, hydration bladders or hydration packs (zip lock / plastic bags will not be accepted).

    The required capacity does not need to be full at all times, however you must be capable of carrying the specified volume between aid stations.

    Example:

    • 2 × 500ml soft flasks = 1 litre.

  • You must carry a fully charged smartphone for the duration of the event.

    The phone must:

    • Be switched on

    • Not be in airplane mode

    • Be capable of making and receiving calls

    Low power mode is recommended.

  • You must have the event GPX file downloaded and available for offline use on either:

    • A GPS watch, or

    • A smartphone.

    The map must remain accessible when there is no mobile phone coverage.

    Suggested options include:

    • GPS watch navigation

    • Organic Maps

    We will provide the final GPX file for your race in the race briefing email.

  • You must carry a compression snake bite bandage suitable for pressure immobilisation treatment.

    Minimum size:

    • 10cm wide

    • 2m long

    Recommended products include:

    • SMART Snake Bandage

    • Aero Snake Bite Bandage

    Elastic compression bandages are acceptable provided they meet the minimum dimensions.

  • You must carry a waterproof jacket with an attached hood suitable for prolonged use in bad weather.

    Minimum specification:

    • Seam sealed construction

    • Breathable waterproof fabric

    • Waterproof rating of 10,000mm or higher

    Running jackets designed for trail running and hiking are recommended.

  • You must carry a long sleeve thermal top suitable for prolonged exposure to cold conditions.

    Minimum specification:

    • Long sleeves

    • Minimum fabric weight of 150 GSM (medium weight)

    Examples include:

    • Merino wool thermal tops

    • Polypropylene thermal tops

    • Polyester thermal tops designed for cold weather use

    The purpose of this item is warmth, not performance. Lightweight performance tops are not acceptable.

  • You must carry a compact emergency survival blanket.

    This is the lightweight reflective blanket commonly known as a:

    • Space blanket

    • Emergency blanket

    It is designed to reduce heat loss and provide protection in an emergency.

  • You must carry one of the following:

    • Beanie

    • Buff

    • Balaclava

    The item must provide warmth and cover the head and/or ears.

  • You must carry gloves that fully cover all fingers and provide insulation in cold conditions.

    Cold hands make everything harder. Look after your fingers.

    Many experienced runners carry multiple pairs and keep spare gloves with their crew or in drop bags. Warm hands are important.

  • You must carry waterproof gloves capable of keeping your hands dry in prolonged wet conditions.

    Dishwashing gloves are acceptable.

  • You must carry a working torch suitable for navigating in darkness.

    Acceptable options include:

    • Head torch

    • Waist-mounted torch

    • Handheld torch

    The brighter the torch, the easier it is to stay awake and move efficiently through the night.

    If you are running through the night, think carefully about how you will manage your lighting system and battery life.

  • You must carry the required number of spare batteries or backup power sources for your torch system.

    Spare batteries may be allocated between your torches however you choose. For example, two spare batteries may both be carried for one torch.

    The portable power bank required elsewhere on the mandatory gear list does not count towards this requirement.

    If using rechargeable torches, an additional dedicated power bank may be used to satisfy this requirement.

  • You must carry waterproof pants suitable for wet and windy conditions.

    Seam sealed pants are recommended but not required.

  • You must carry thermal long pants suitable for prolonged exposure to cold conditions.

    Examples include:

    • Thermal pants

    • Fleece pants

    The purpose of this item is warmth, not performance. Lightweight performance tights designed primarily for running are not acceptable.

  • You must carry an additional insulating layer suitable for prolonged exposure to cold weather.

    Examples include:

    • 250+ GSM fleece

    • 250+ GSM Heavy merino mid-layer

    This item should be worn over your thermal top and underneath your waterproof jacket.

    The purpose of this item is warmth, not performance. Lightweight thermals / jumpers are not acceptable.

  • A cooling bandana or neck cooler is recommended for hot conditions.

    Aid stations operating during warm conditions will have plenty of ice available to refill cooling systems.

  • A reusable cup is recommended for use at aid stations.

    Minimum useful capacity: 150ml