Running Gear Guide: Everything You Need for the 2024 NYC Marathon and Other Fall Races

It’s NYC marathon weekend, and if you’re one of the many runners gearing up to take on 26.2 miles, you’re probably already equipped with all the gear you need tomorrow.

If you’re running another fall race this season or plan on training for one in the new year, it’s helpful to have some guidance on the items you should have on hand to make your experience better.

One of the most important rules of running is: Nothing new on race day! Everything you wear, carry and put into your body on the day should be tested out ahead of time, even if they’re versions of products you’ve used before.

If you’re new to running or are an experienced runner, it’s good to know that there is plenty of running gear to look into. You just have to find what works best for you and your running experience.

Whether you’re running a World Major, gearing up for your first 5K or just looking for a gift for your favorite runner, below are some great ideas. Here’s a look at some of the best stuff on the market that I’ve tried recently, as well as some old favorites.

Marathon fashion

If there’s one thing marathoners really like to do, it’s wear clothes that let everyone know they’re running, or ran, a marathon.

New Balance, the official apparel sponsor of New York’s marathon designs new running gear every year to entice runners. You’ll find everything from winter hats to hoodies, compression shorts and special edition shoes.

The special edition shoes include styles like the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 and Fresh Foam X 1080v14 as they are designed specifically for the race. The SuperComps ($265) are carbon-plated racing shoes suited for experienced marathoners. They’re light and bouncy, but still offer a cushioned ride. They quickly turned what was supposed to be an easy 5K for me into a fast tempo run.

And the 1080s ($180) sit at the other end of the spectrum. I have friends who love these and have run marathons in them, but I find them more suited to walking the mean streets of New York City than running them.

Saucony also offers a special edition shoe. Last year it rolled out a yellow and blue New York City themed version ($170) of its Endorphin Speed 4. I bought a regular pair of these and they’ve become one of my favorite shoes for middle-distance races and tempo runs. 

Runners love socks

While the rest of my outfit may be undecided, the one thing I know for sure is that I’ll be wearing Feetures socks on race day.

Priced at about $18 each, Feetures’ colorful and long-lasting socks are my go-to for training and racing. Specifically, the “Elite” versions of the socks offer targeted compression that helps protect and support your feet as you run, without feeling too heavy. The runners on my team universally love them and they always turn up at our holiday gift swaps and birthday parties.

Another great option that I’m wearing now are Smartwool’s zero cushion Run Low Ankle Socks, which have a super-soft and light feel. They’re made of a Merino wool blend that has kept my feet dry and blister-free through both extreme heat and cold.

They’ve also survived several runs through the washer and dryer without shrinking, as wool socks can be prone to do.

I’m starting to feel like Cinderella, or maybe Goldilocks 

For my first two marathons I went for comfortable shoes. I wanted cushy sneakers that could get me through 26.2 miles without too much pair but also without weighing me down.

This time around, I’ve got bigger goals and I’m more willing to sacrifice comfort for speed. So I’ve been on a seemingly unending quest to find that perfect combination. I still need support, but max cushion shoes make me feel like Frankenstein’s monster. And maybe it’s time for me to dip my toe (or I guess all 10 of them) back into the world of carbon plates and borderline super shoes?

While I’m still undecided, I’m really starting to like Saucony’s Endorphin Pro 4 ($225). Powered by those fabled carbon plates, they’re light and springy but still feel comfortable and supportive. They stayed that way through a recent 20-mile training run, though I was feeling those carbon plates toward the end. 

But the truth is, the best shoe for you is going to depend on you, your feet and your needs. A size 9 in one brand may fit completely different than in another. Shoes that your best friend, or even a world-class marathoner, thinks are amazing, may feel torturous for you to walk in.

You could do what I’ve been doing — trying on piles and piles of shoes in hopes of finding something that fits just right — or you could head to your local running store and get some expert advice. I highly recommend going this route, especially for your first big race.

The fitting technology used by many stores has come a long way. I got an up-close look at the system used by Fleet Feet, a national chain of running stores. It uses artificial intelligence to compare a 3D scan of your feet to those of millions of other customers, along with the store’s inventory.

The AI matches, combined with the expertise of the store employee using the technology, helped me find a great pair of shoes that ultimately carried me through much of my training.

Safety can be fun

It’s fall, which means the sun comes up late and goes down early. I pulled out the lights a few weeks ago for my regular evening team 5K. If you’re starting your weekend long runs early in the morning, you’re going to need a set too. 

I’ve got a few sets of lights, but my favorite is the Tracer2 light-up vest from Noxgear. Its rechargeable LED lights flash in a rainbow of fun colors. They can be seen a quarter mile away and last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

At $64, it’s not cheap, and I’d recommend adding on the optional Tracer Lamp ($25) that clips on the front. It’s super bright and can be aimed down to help you spot cracks in the sidewalk and to avoid blinding fellow runners who might try to look directly at you.

The vest, which includes reflective straps, fits me perfectly and doesn’t slide around like a less expensive version I used previously that was made by another company. 

My teammates would be upset if I didn’t mention Noxgear’s 39G wearable Bluetooth speaker ($70). It kicks out a surprising amount of sound for its size. Instead of using headphones or earbuds that could block out the sound of an approaching car or another threat, you can use the speaker to listen to your tunes while also staying aware of what’s going on around you.

Fashionable and functional

I get overheated easily, which means that unless it’s snowing, I’ll probably be wearing shorts, along with my team singlet on Nov. 3. It’s a super-comfortable New Balance tank that I had custom-printed for the Boston Marathon. Six months later, it’s still in great shape.

For training, one of my favorite tops for long runs is Smartwool’s Women’s Active Ultralite Racerback Tank. It’s close to paper thin with a loose cut, so it has an airy feel. Like Smartwool’s socks, the tank’s material is a super-soft Merino wool blend. That’s important when you’re sweating through a lot of miles. Material that’s even the slightest bit rough can cause painful chafing on your upper arms as you run.

Hats are a must this time of year, especially if you’re a woman with a substantial head of hair. My new favorite hats are the wacky designs from Sprints. They are ultra light, super comfortable and keep the hair and sweat out of my face.

There’s a design for just about everyone. My favorite is the Boston Marathon-themed design complete with little unicorns, while other fun options include colorful doughnuts and pickles. Those were a hit with my teammates. On the flip side, I sent my dad, also a runner, a relatively plain black version for his birthday.

You’re also going to need some shades. I’ve been a fan Goodr’s line of active sunglasses for a long time. At $25, they’re a steal. They block harmful UVA and UVB rays, don’t slip down your nose when it gets sweaty and come in a slew of fun colors and frames. But they don’t last forever, particularly if you buy the ones with mirrored lenses, which scratch easily.

I recently tried a couple pairs from Tifosi. At about $35, they cost a little bit more but so far seem a bit more durable. While not heavy, they feel sturdy. My teenage daughter instantly fell in love with my pair of the Sanctum model and I’ve yet to get them back, but she hasn’t broken them either. I’ve been wearing the Swank model. I’ve been super careful with the reflective lenses and have managed to keep them scratch free, but only time will tell how they hold up.

In terms of logistics, one of the toughest things about running any long race is figuring out how to carry all the stuff you need along the way, like water, gels and salt tablets, along with your probably way-too-heavy phone. Recently, I’ve had luck with Nathan’s Zipster Lite ($20). It doesn’t hold a ton, but it stays put and doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing Batman’s utility belt.

You could also opt for shorts or tights with lots of built-in storage. My Boston Marathon outfit included a pair of compression shorts from Flipbelt and I might also wear them for New York City.

The company made its name by producing stretchy running belts designed to hold everything you might need for a long run. But I’ve had problems in the past with them stretching out and riding down in the middle of a race.

The shorts and tights solve that problem by building that same storage into compression bottoms that stay in place. The shorts’ side pockets managed to securely hold the half-dozen energy gels I needed for Boston, while my ID, cash and other small items were safely stowed in the back zip pocket. Smaller waist pockets held chews and salt tablets.

While they rode up just a little bit, these shorts were a great substitute for a running belt. Months later, they’re still in great shape and are now my go-to pair for race days.

Snacks for the road

Arguably, the most important snack for a runner this time of year is water. Whether you opt for a flask that tucks into a pocket, a multi-liter hydration backpack or just a plain handheld bottle, you need something.

Over the past year, I’ve tried all of these options. My favorite right now is Nathan’s ExoShot 2.0 Handheld 14oz bottle. It’s a soft flask that’s held in a fabric case. There’s an adjustable strap that goes around your hand, so you don’t really have to cling on to it while you run. It’s easy to squeeze and drink from.

Best of all, it doesn’t leak and you can throw it in the dishwasher. I’d use this bottle a lot more if my daughter hadn’t also stolen it for her own runs. 

Distance running is a strange sport in the sense that you have to eat while doing it. Calories, carbs, electrolytes, salts and other nutrients need to be replaced along the way, or you’re just going to run out of gas.

Everyone has their favorite products and ways to do this. I have friends who will eat “real food,” like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and beef jerky during long runs. In Boston, a handful of running groups were handing out doughnuts (Dunkin’, of course). I even saw a few runners chug beers and do free shots of Fireball while running the New York marathon. (I wouldn’t recommend this!)

But a lot of us who turn green at the thought of consuming anything substantial while bounding down the road rely on gels and chews specifically designed for runners.

I’m a fan of Skratch Labs energy chews. They taste less like chemicals and more like gummy bears. And some of my favorite products come from Untapped, a maple syrup company based in, you guessed it, Vermont. Its coffee-spiked maple syrup athletic fuel gives me the zip I need without including chemicals I can’t pronounce. I buy it by the case.

In preparation for Boston, I trained with gels made by Maurten because that’s what was going to be handed out along the course. While other brands offer a Baskin-Robbins-like variety of flavors, Maurten comes in just one, which doesn’t really taste like anything but isn’t super sweet. It’s also a thicker consistency, which I can only describe as kind of like a pudding cup that’s been stepped on. It takes some getting used to, but I’ve found it to be easy on the tummy.

I’m generally not a fan of traditional hydration drinks. Too many chemicals and unnatural neon colors. And while I know I need to replace the salt I sweat away during long runs, especially as the weather warms, many products almost taste like the ocean to me.

But I’ve recently taken a shine to GoodSport’s drinks. They don’t contain artificial dyes or flavors, and while they do contain the sugar, carbohydrates, salt and electrolytes I know I need, they don’t overdo it. They’re on the sweet side, but taste good going down, and they kept me going through my longest training runs.

Runners who opt for water instead of sports drinks might want to consider salt tablets. While I admit I often forget to take them during races, I try to pop one every couple miles, and my friends swear by them for warding off cramps. These lemon-lime flavored ones from SaltStick taste like a margarita. I also like its orange flavor.