Do You Need a Crew for an Ultramarathon?

The Short Answer

It depends on the format and your experience. For a first 50K, you don't need a crew. For a 24-hour race, a crew helps enormously. For a backyard ultra, a crew becomes nearly essential after 24+ loops.

Crew Importance by Format

Racing Solo Successfully

Pre-pack labeled bags for each 3–4 hour block containing food, socks, lubricant, and a checklist. Rely on race aid stations for water and basic nutrition. Set phone alarms for eating and foot care schedules. Read our crew guide section for detailed crew instructions.

What a Good Crew Actually Does

A crew is valuable because it protects your decision-making. Late in an ultra, simple tasks become surprisingly expensive: opening bags, finding dry socks, remembering how much you ate, or deciding whether to add a jacket before the temperature drops. A good crew turns those choices into a repeatable system.

• Prepares the next bottle, food, and caffeine dose before you arrive
• Tracks calories, fluids, bathroom issues, and unusual mood changes
• Handles foot checks, sock swaps, shoe rotation, and layer changes
• Keeps you moving through aid stops before sitting becomes too comfortable
• Watches for medical red flags that tired runners often minimize

The Solo System

Solo racing works best when you remove as many decisions as possible before the start. Pack by time block rather than by product type: early race, night, cold weather, foot care, emergency food. Put written instructions in each bag so you do not have to remember the plan when you are tired.

If the race allows drop bags, keep them boring and obvious. Use large labels, transparent bags, and duplicate key items such as socks, lubricant, batteries, and stomach-safe calories. Solo runners lose time when everything is technically packed but impossible to find quickly.