If you’re preparing for the Great World Race, one of the biggest questions isn’t how to train. It’s how to pack. Running seven marathons on seven continents means preparing for everything from Antarctica’s ice and wind to warm-weather racing conditions, all while living out of suitcases and moving constantly between airports, hotels, and starting lines.
I received quite a few comments about the packing video I shared before the race, particularly the meticulously organized piles of clothing, fuel, and gear arranged for each marathon. Some people assumed I was exceptionally organized. Others who know me better were baffled.
The truth is much simpler: if I don’t have an obsessive packing plan, there is a very real possibility that I’ll pack four kaleidoscopes, a chia pet, the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, and forget underwear entirely.
This is where I should mention that I have ADHD.
Over the years, I’ve learned that organization isn’t optional for me. It’s a survival strategy.
Start With a Comprehensive Packing List
The first step in my Great World Race packing strategy was creating an exhaustive packing list. Every item went on it. No exceptions.
Many people are tempted to skip obvious items because they’re certain they’ll remember them. I know better. If it wasn’t written down, there was a good chance it wasn’t making it into the suitcase.
I also used long-range weather forecasts and historical climate data to estimate conditions for each continent. While weather predictions are never perfect, they gave me a starting point for deciding what clothing and gear each race would require.
My Race-by-Race Packing System
Rather than organizing my luggage the traditional way, I built what amounted to seven mini race kits.
Instead of putting all my shirts in one bag and all my socks in another, I created a dedicated bag for each race. Every race bag contained:
- Running shirt
- Running shorts or tights
- Socks
- Hat
- Race-day essentials
- Post-race clothing
I laid each outfit on top of itself, rolled it into a bundle, secured it with a rubber band, and packed it into a vacuum storage bag.
The result was simple: when race morning arrived, I didn’t need to dig through my luggage searching for missing gear. I could grab one designated package and know everything I needed was already there.
For an event where fatigue becomes a constant companion, eliminating unnecessary decisions was one of the smartest things I did.
Organizing Fuel and Nutrition
Every race bag also included food. Actually, two separate food containers.
The first contained pre-race and post-race snacks such as cookies, fruit snacks, and whatever else I could borrow from my children’s snack supply. The second held race fuel, including electrolyte mixes and gels.
Again, the goal was simplicity. If race morning arrived and I was operating on minimal sleep, everything I needed would already be grouped together.
Packing for Antarctica
Surprisingly, Antarctica wasn’t the most difficult continent to pack for. Growing up in Minnesota meant I already owned plenty of cold-weather athletic gear and understood the importance of layering. My Antarctica outfit included:
- Wicking base layer
- Fleece mid-layer
- Lightweight outer jacket
- Tights
- Cross-country ski pants
- Wool socks
- Glove-mitten hybrids known as “lobsters”
- Warm fleece hat
I packed YakTrax in case the course proved icy, but ultimately chose not to use them. The snow was surprisingly runnable in most places, and I never felt the need for additional traction.
The one piece of gear that absolutely mattered was sunglasses. Serious sunglasses.
The reflection of sunlight on snow can be intense enough to cause snow blindness. At one point, I briefly lifted my sunglasses to rub my eye and was immediately reminded why race organizers had emphasized eye protection.
The One Climate I Packed Wrong
Ironically, Antarctica wasn’t my packing mistake. Europe was.
I anticipated cool weather and some rain, but the race turned out darker, colder, windier, and wetter than expected. The long-sleeve shirt I packed didn’t provide enough protection, and adding a rain jacket over soaked clothing simply created what can best be described as a personal swamp.
It’s a reminder that even the best planning has limits.
Did the Organization Last?
Not exactly.
I began the trip with a beautifully organized system. By the middle of the race, I was doing what many runners do before a big event: second-guessing everything.
Should I wear the brace? Should I pack an extra layer? Did the forecast change? Maybe I should unpack everything and check again. As my travel partner could attest, there was no shortage of last-minute adjustments. But despite the inevitable chaos, the system worked.
Great World Race Packing Lessons
If you’re creating your own Great World Race packing list, these were the biggest lessons I learned:
- Write down everything, including the obvious items.
- Organize gear by race rather than by clothing type.
- Pack nutrition with each race kit.
- Use vacuum bags to maximize space and organization.
- Plan for weather, but expect surprises.
- Reduce decisions wherever possible. Fatigue makes simple choices feel complicated.
Packing for the Great World Race may not be as physically demanding as running seven marathons, but a solid organizational system can make race week significantly less stressful. Looking back, the time I spent planning and organizing before departing was one of the best investments I made in the entire experience.
Learn more about Ellen’s journey with The Great World Race at sevenmarathonsbook.com.
ELLEN HUNTER GANS is a 41-time marathon finisher, IRONMAN triathlete, ultramarathon champion, and 100-mile race finisher—all things that would shock the coach from her one wildly unsuccessful year of JV track. She has also participated in The Great World Race which involved running seven marathons on seven continents in one week which she has chronicled in her book Seven Marathons. Seven Continents. One Week.
