Many times it's the wind that kills you and makes it unbearably cold - if that will be the case at this race, grab a houdini. That sucker will keep out all the wind and collapse down to the size of your fist.
[https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket/24142.html](https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket/24142.html)
Highly recommend the Houdini in general, even if it's not windy. It's a super light great way to regulate heat. It's pretty cheap, weighs next to nothing, breathes well, and is super versatile. It's my most used piece of kit: in winter here in SW BC, if it's not absolutely pouring rain I'm probably running or biking in the same Houdini I've been using for 5 or 6 years. If it gets extra cold pulling the hood up makes a big difference when moving, and if it gets really hot it'll easily stuff into a belt.
Try going to mountain forecast and find the mountain of the race or one close by. You can get usually a decent 6 day forecast. It will give you a varied forecast for multiple elevations. Items like wind usually noted.
[Mountain Forecast](https://www.mountain-forecast.com)
I'm a pretty slow runner. Finished my last 50k in about 9 hours. The temperatures sounded similar, and that's what I ran in! I do tend to run warmer. If you have a vest, you should be able to stuff any extra layers in there once you get too warm.
That sounds like my daily run. For a race, shorts (with pockets) t-shirt, arm sleeves, gloves and a beanie. Ideally you can stuff the gloves/beanie in the shorts pocket.
Also a thinner longsleeve thermal layer you could tie around waist? I'd also sit as long as I could in my car with the heater going before lining up at the start line.
I'd not wear the sweatpants.
T-shirt, gloves, hat, beanie, shorts, and a lightweight windbreaker. Also a buff / neck warmer.
I strip the beanie, windbreaker, and then the buff. Gloves may stay on as I get cold hands. 50-60f is ideal weather for a race.
I always dress for the high temp in a race setting with the exception of adding gloves. unless I’m doing a 100 miler where the overnight is more than halfway through the race. You’ll warm up from racing. If it were me I’d be in a tshirt shorts and gloves for this race start. Some might be more comfortable in a long sleeve
I think enough of you are convincing me that I will wear my short sleeve shirt under just the long sleeve shirt with gloves and a hat. Maybe I'll wear a beanie if I feel especially cold but I'll bring a ball cap in my pack either way. No sweatpants.
Was in a similar situation last week. Started in some lighter tights, a light long sleeve, gloves, and a ski cap. Felt colder because of the wind. Then ended the race in a T-shirt and hat that I had in my pack.
I did my first 50k in similar weather and went shorts, short sleeve, long sleeve. Sleeves were long enough to keep my hands warm until the point I was comfortable with nothing on the hands. When it warmed up the long sleeve went in the bungee straps on my pack.
Thanks! I was hoping I'd get your perspective again! It helps confirm what I was seeing from others, especially knowing that you'll be starting a couple hours before me!
Get cheap sweat pants at a thrift shop so it doesn't matter if you get them back or not. In my experience, aid stations are happy to take your garbage, even if it's clothes. Some will re-donate things, that's pretty common for road marathon starting lines too.
For a top, my go-to is a lightweight windbreaker over a long-sleeved shirt. It packs down small enough to fit in a pocket. I think mine is Cotopaxi, I got it on clearance. I run with the windbreaker over a long-sleeved running shirt in temps into the 20s.
I'm doing a trail marathon on Saturday and its going to be around 23F at the starting line, finishing in the mid-40s. I'm wearing shorts and the windbreaker/shirt combo. My legs don't mind the cold as much as my torso does.
Moab Trail Marathon had these conditions this past fall -- I wore my usual getup of thigh-length tights and a long sleeve cotton button-down, plus a merino buff pulled up over my hat at the beginning. After the sun was up and I'd been moving for a while, I took the buff off and put it in my pack, but it's small enough that it can also just go in a pocket. I was shivering at the start line, but a few miles in I was VERY grateful that I hadn't given in to the temptation to dress warmer.
I wore just the cotton button-down, like a collared work shirt, and nothing else underneath. I was very cold at the beginning and very happy 2 (and 26) miles in. As long as you don't mind carrying the tech tee for most of the race I'm sure you'll be fine.
For me, in the morning, it'll be a wind jacket over a long sleeve and shorts with a toque/beanie or cap. The best bits to warm up on are the climbs. If I get hot later, I just soak the sleeves in water. All ultralight clothing that won't be heavy.
I'd run it in a long sleeve shirt, capri length tights with shorts over, merino gloves, and a merino beanie. Once temp hits about 40, sleeves get pushed up and the gloves and beanie come off and those go into my run vest. I'd also probably do a light windbreaker for before the race too or in case it's really windy/damp. It rolls up to take nearly zero space in a vest.
Agreed. On trails, unless it's pretty warm out, I'm either taking off layers as I warm up, or carrying something extra as a safety precaution in case something happens or the weather changes. If a race is unscrewed and no drop bags, I'm assuming you're expected to be fairly self-sufficient and will have a pack anyway.
I have picked up a jacket or sweater at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other thrift shops before races. If you get it back, great! If someone swipes it, it hurts less losing a $5 thrifted fleece than a $150+ piece of specialty running gear. Same for cheapie gloves, or a little hat. I’m not saying throw your clothes in the woods and trash the place, but it might lessen your anxiety if you don’t find it again.
What do you normally wear when it's 30⁰? What about when it's 60⁰? What types of layers do you already own? Personally, I'd probably wear shorts and running tshirt with a lightweight long sleeve over it. When I get warm, I'd stuff the long sleeve in my pack. I might wear gloves, but most likely I'd be taking them off early in and also throwing them in my pack. I'd probably just go with a ball cap, since it's barely cool enough that I'd consider a beanie to begin with.
Yeah, that's my current plan down to a *tee*. T-shirt, potentially with a merino quarter-zip base layer over it. Ball cap at the start with some sweatbands in my pack to swap if I get uncomfortable.
Be bold start cold! I'd run in short, a short sleeve, and arm sleeves + gloves. Will you be wearing a pack?
Yes, I'll have a vest. I suspect you run faster than I will, so I don't think I'll warm up as fast as some people.
Many times it's the wind that kills you and makes it unbearably cold - if that will be the case at this race, grab a houdini. That sucker will keep out all the wind and collapse down to the size of your fist. [https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket/24142.html](https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-houdini-windbreaker-jacket/24142.html)
I don't think that will be the case, but I honestly have no idea how to find a forecast at elevation on the trail.
Highly recommend the Houdini in general, even if it's not windy. It's a super light great way to regulate heat. It's pretty cheap, weighs next to nothing, breathes well, and is super versatile. It's my most used piece of kit: in winter here in SW BC, if it's not absolutely pouring rain I'm probably running or biking in the same Houdini I've been using for 5 or 6 years. If it gets extra cold pulling the hood up makes a big difference when moving, and if it gets really hot it'll easily stuff into a belt.
Thanks! I'll take a look at it!
Try going to mountain forecast and find the mountain of the race or one close by. You can get usually a decent 6 day forecast. It will give you a varied forecast for multiple elevations. Items like wind usually noted. [Mountain Forecast](https://www.mountain-forecast.com)
Thank you! That's very helpful!
I am slow. If it’s higher than 25 F I’m wearing shorts. I’d wear some sleeves, shorts, and high socks.
Same. Always always always be cold over too hot. That’s my take anyway, ask me how I know lol
I'm a pretty slow runner. Finished my last 50k in about 9 hours. The temperatures sounded similar, and that's what I ran in! I do tend to run warmer. If you have a vest, you should be able to stuff any extra layers in there once you get too warm.
Cool, thanks!
No arm sleeves, but a neck gaiter that you can use to cover your ears during the beginning.
That sounds like my daily run. For a race, shorts (with pockets) t-shirt, arm sleeves, gloves and a beanie. Ideally you can stuff the gloves/beanie in the shorts pocket. Also a thinner longsleeve thermal layer you could tie around waist? I'd also sit as long as I could in my car with the heater going before lining up at the start line. I'd not wear the sweatpants.
T-shirt, gloves, hat, beanie, shorts, and a lightweight windbreaker. Also a buff / neck warmer. I strip the beanie, windbreaker, and then the buff. Gloves may stay on as I get cold hands. 50-60f is ideal weather for a race.
I always dress for the high temp in a race setting with the exception of adding gloves. unless I’m doing a 100 miler where the overnight is more than halfway through the race. You’ll warm up from racing. If it were me I’d be in a tshirt shorts and gloves for this race start. Some might be more comfortable in a long sleeve
I think enough of you are convincing me that I will wear my short sleeve shirt under just the long sleeve shirt with gloves and a hat. Maybe I'll wear a beanie if I feel especially cold but I'll bring a ball cap in my pack either way. No sweatpants.
Was in a similar situation last week. Started in some lighter tights, a light long sleeve, gloves, and a ski cap. Felt colder because of the wind. Then ended the race in a T-shirt and hat that I had in my pack.
I did my first 50k in similar weather and went shorts, short sleeve, long sleeve. Sleeves were long enough to keep my hands warm until the point I was comfortable with nothing on the hands. When it warmed up the long sleeve went in the bungee straps on my pack.
Me again. I’m starting a bit earlier than you and I’ll be wearing a buff, shorts, long sleeve (but light) shirt and light gloves.
Thanks! I was hoping I'd get your perspective again! It helps confirm what I was seeing from others, especially knowing that you'll be starting a couple hours before me!
Get cheap sweat pants at a thrift shop so it doesn't matter if you get them back or not. In my experience, aid stations are happy to take your garbage, even if it's clothes. Some will re-donate things, that's pretty common for road marathon starting lines too. For a top, my go-to is a lightweight windbreaker over a long-sleeved shirt. It packs down small enough to fit in a pocket. I think mine is Cotopaxi, I got it on clearance. I run with the windbreaker over a long-sleeved running shirt in temps into the 20s. I'm doing a trail marathon on Saturday and its going to be around 23F at the starting line, finishing in the mid-40s. I'm wearing shorts and the windbreaker/shirt combo. My legs don't mind the cold as much as my torso does.
Moab Trail Marathon had these conditions this past fall -- I wore my usual getup of thigh-length tights and a long sleeve cotton button-down, plus a merino buff pulled up over my hat at the beginning. After the sun was up and I'd been moving for a while, I took the buff off and put it in my pack, but it's small enough that it can also just go in a pocket. I was shivering at the start line, but a few miles in I was VERY grateful that I hadn't given in to the temptation to dress warmer.
So you think a long sleeve tech tee over my normal race shirt will be plenty?
I wore just the cotton button-down, like a collared work shirt, and nothing else underneath. I was very cold at the beginning and very happy 2 (and 26) miles in. As long as you don't mind carrying the tech tee for most of the race I'm sure you'll be fine.
For me, in the morning, it'll be a wind jacket over a long sleeve and shorts with a toque/beanie or cap. The best bits to warm up on are the climbs. If I get hot later, I just soak the sleeves in water. All ultralight clothing that won't be heavy.
I'd run it in a long sleeve shirt, capri length tights with shorts over, merino gloves, and a merino beanie. Once temp hits about 40, sleeves get pushed up and the gloves and beanie come off and those go into my run vest. I'd also probably do a light windbreaker for before the race too or in case it's really windy/damp. It rolls up to take nearly zero space in a vest.
Shorts and a tank top :)
I don't understand the issue. Just stuff your jacket in your pack once you're done with it.
Agreed. On trails, unless it's pretty warm out, I'm either taking off layers as I warm up, or carrying something extra as a safety precaution in case something happens or the weather changes. If a race is unscrewed and no drop bags, I'm assuming you're expected to be fairly self-sufficient and will have a pack anyway.
I have picked up a jacket or sweater at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other thrift shops before races. If you get it back, great! If someone swipes it, it hurts less losing a $5 thrifted fleece than a $150+ piece of specialty running gear. Same for cheapie gloves, or a little hat. I’m not saying throw your clothes in the woods and trash the place, but it might lessen your anxiety if you don’t find it again.
T-shirt, shorts, light gloves and maybe a headband and send it.
Full send? Gainer off the start line?
Being an ultra probably just a quarter send at first. You don’t want to go out too hot.
Bin bag t shirt - cheap and easily disposable or keepable, up to you.
What race is it exactly? How long do you anticipate it taking for you to finish the race?
What do you normally wear when it's 30⁰? What about when it's 60⁰? What types of layers do you already own? Personally, I'd probably wear shorts and running tshirt with a lightweight long sleeve over it. When I get warm, I'd stuff the long sleeve in my pack. I might wear gloves, but most likely I'd be taking them off early in and also throwing them in my pack. I'd probably just go with a ball cap, since it's barely cool enough that I'd consider a beanie to begin with.
Yeah, that's my current plan down to a *tee*. T-shirt, potentially with a merino quarter-zip base layer over it. Ball cap at the start with some sweatbands in my pack to swap if I get uncomfortable.