The compulsory kit list for the UTLD100 is:

• First aid kit to include: blister plasters / sterile pad dressing / bandage or tape to secure dressing as a minimum requirement.
• Full WATERPROOF body cover, top and bottom *please note that windproof is not sufficient.
• Spare base layer *top and bottom.
• Head torch / spare batteries if required
• Mobile phone *fully charged
• Whistle
• Hat and gloves
• Emergency foil blanket or bivi bag
• Emergency food & drink (additional to your general nutrition i.e. not to be eaten during event)
• Map (supplied, waterproof and pre-marked) 1:40,000
• Road book (supplied on waterproof paper)
• Compass

Additionally, running gear, shoes, bag pack to keep it all in, drink, food, other stuff I’ll no doubt forget on the day and be in a panic about.

I’m going to write separate posts about packs and waterproofs because they seem to be the questions most people ask about but as a quick overview of the rest of the gear, here’s some of what I’m taking:

Headtorch
Most people will recommend a Petzl headtorch and with good reason – they’re well made and reliable. They’re also extremely expensive. My current headtorch of choice is an LED Lenser H7 which is light (120g without batteries), bright (variable display up to 170 lumens) and relatively cheap – available for between £35 to £45 (I bought mine on Amazon). By contrast, the Petzl Myo RXP which has a max output of 160 lumens costs about £65. A very good and low budget alternative to either of these is the Alpkit Gamma which is a bargain at £15 (although not as bright as the H7 or Myo)

Compass
I run with the popular Silva Ranger 3 compass which costs about £15-£18 but the Silva Starter 8 is only £8/£9 on Amazon. There are smaller carabiner compasses but I know when I’m tired, I prefer something that has a great big sodding arrow I can point at stuff. If you’re not confident with navigation or compasses, take some time to learn how to use it before an event. With luck, you may not need it during the UTLD100 but you never know.

Baselayer
Nothing remotely surprising here – I have a long sleeved Helly Hansen top and a pair of Ron Hill tracksters. They weigh in at about 200g each and cost £20 and £15 respectively if you shop around.

Emergency rations
Bit bemused by this requirement last year as I seemed to get through the kit check with nary a glance at my spare rations. But for what it’s worth, I took a small Kendal Mint Cake and a 200ml (so 200g) Capri-Sun packet (lighter than bottles). I don’t like Kendal Mint Cake very much – that’s why I take it. I’m not going to be tempted to eat it unless it really is an emergency.

Things which are not on the list that I take as a matter of course:

• A waterproof bag to keep kit in. If it rains, your stuff will get wet. Keep it dry. (I use space saver vacuum storage bag, a little like this.)
• Sudocrem. Nappy rash cream. For chafing. Let’s not talk any more about that.
• Debit/Credit card. Just. In. Case.

Yeah, I’m really stretching this post out now. If you’re interested enough to get this far and want to know about anything else I take (on or off the kitlist), ask away.