Kit list

This is used to carry essential kit during the marathon.

Choose a lightweight pack that is comfortable to run in and fits securely without excessive movement. It should have enough capacity for the mandatory items you’ll need to carry, while remaining as compact and light as practical.

Make sure you train with the pack before the expedition so you are comfortable with its fit, weight and adjustment while running.

This is a rucksack for some of our trekking days, such as climbing Uturuncu. We recommend a relatively small 20–30L hiking rucksack. It should provide enough space for water, extra layers, snacks and other essentials needed during trekking days.

If you have a larger running backpack of about 20L, that will be sufficient for hiking and you don’t need both.

Focus on comfort and fit. A rucksack with a hip belt and chest strap is recommended, as these help keep the pack stable and distribute the load more comfortably. If you’re buying a new one, try it on before the expedition if possible.

These will be your marathon shoes, but can also double up as casual trainers to wear day to day. Trail running shoes are recommended, although robust road shoes should also be OK. Ideally these will be paired with sand gaiters to help keep sand and fine dust out.

The course is primarily compacted gravel and sand, with some softer sandy sections. Comfort and familiarity are key — use shoes you have trained in and know are comfortable over long distances.

You’ll likely only use these for 2–3 days, including the climb of Uturuncu, where temperatures may fall below -10°C. We do not recommend attempting the Uturuncu climb in your running shoes.

For trekking, a fuller hiking gaiter can provide additional protection around your boots and lower legs. You can also get trail gaiters that cover both scenarios.

There is a possibility of ice at the top of Uturuncu. It is unlikely we will need microspikes, but they are a good option just in case. They can be attached over your hiking boots (like mini crampons). It is still possible to walk on ice or snow without these, although obviously it is slightly riskier.

For most of the expedition we will be wearing casual T-shirts, perhaps with an additional layer on top.

BecomingX will provide two branded running T-shirts for use in the marathon. Please bring additional T-shirts to make up the recommended total of 6-9.

Temperatures can drop significantly at altitude, particularly overnight and when exposed to strong winds. The coldest part of the expedition will likely be on Uturuncu, where temperatures could reach -20°C.

Down jackets are one of the most effective ways to retain heat, but they are also relatively expensive. Given the limited time we are likely to need this level of insulation, a down jacket is not mandatory: a thick fleece combined with a windproof jacket can be used instead.

If you already have a down jacket, or can borrow one, you’ll appreciate having it. We wouldn’t recommend buying one specifically for this trip unless you are also planning adventures in similarly cold conditions.

You’ll need clothing for three different uses:

1. Marathon: running shorts, or lightweight/running trousers if you prefer.
2. Thermal pools: suitable swimwear, such as a swimsuit, swimming shorts or trunks.
3. Casual wear: shorts or other lightweight clothing for warmer conditions around La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Uyuni etc.

It can be very windy at high altitude. Choose windproof trousers that are roomy enough to wear over a thermal base layer when required, providing additional protection as conditions become colder or windier.

Marathon runners should use the brand and style of technical running socks they are already comfortable with and have trained in over long distances.

Our accommodation at base camp has basic sheets and blankets (of unknown quality!). If you get cold, or just want the certainty of your sleeping situation for the three nights, you can bring a sleeping bag.

Overnight temperatures are expected to be around 0–10°C, so choose a good-quality 2–3 season sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable towards the lower end of that range. Temperature ratings vary between manufacturers and individuals feel the cold differently, so check the comfort rating rather than relying on the headline or extreme temperature rating.

During the marathon you will be in the sun all day. BecomingX will provide a branded sun hat with material covering your face and neck to provide additional sun protection.

Use a GPS running watch that you have trained with and know how to operate. There is no need to buy an expensive new watch specifically for the expedition if you already have one that meets your needs.

However, we recommend a watch that can last at least 10 hours in GPS tracking mode. An Apple Watch will not provide sufficient battery life for this requirement.

Make sure you understand your watch’s battery life in GPS mode and ensure it is fully charged on marathon day.

Access to power will be limited at base camp, so a power bank is recommended for keeping essential devices such as your phone, GPS watch and rechargeable headtorch charged. Choose a reliable, high-capacity model and make sure it is fully charged before travelling to base camp.

Bolivia uses Type A and C plugs and you should bring an adapter to ensure you can plug in devices from your home country.

For the first half of the expedition we will be acclimatising around La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Uyuni, where we will mainly be sightseeing at altitude and staying in hotels — a rare privilege rather than being on the side of a mountain!

Bring jeans, T-shirts, casual shoes etc. for the first week. To keep your bag light, you can wear your softshell or down jacket over these to keep warm.