What Makes a Kickass Aid Station? (Spoiler: It's Not Just the Pickles)
Key Takeaway
A truly exceptional aid station combines made-to-order food, medical support, comfortable rest facilities, and reliable amenities like proper bathrooms with the magic of enthusiastic volunteers and creative touches like themed stations. Great aid stations don't just refuel your body — they lift your spirits, ensure your safety, and bring you much-needed comfort.
Let's be honest: after running 50+ miles through the wilderness, your standards for "fine dining" have probably dropped considerably. That energy bar you were ignoring at mile 10? At mile 80, it might as well be a five-course meal prepared by Gordon Ramsay himself.
While desperation can make anything taste good, a truly kickass aid station can be the difference between a great time and a terrible time during an ultramarathon trail race.
When you leave an aid station, you should have a renewed sense of hope – that feeling of, "Okay, I might actually be able to finish this race.”
At Destination Trail, we've spent years perfecting the art of aid station excellence, and we're pretty proud of what we've created. Here's what you should look for as the standard for aid stations.
Real Food for Real Hunger
Forget sad, wilted sandwiches that taste like they've been sitting in someone's trunk since 1990. At a race aid station, you should expect real, hearty food.
For example, our aid stations often have made-to-order meatball subs, juicy burgers (Beyond Burgers or black bean patties too), breakfast burritos, and hot personal pizzas. Our aid station crews fire up grills and get cooking because when you've been moving for 12+ hours, you deserve a piping hot meal.
We still have all the classic ultra fuel you expect — Neversecond products (shoutout to our awesome sponsors), pickles for that crucial sodium hit, fresh watermelon that provides natural sugars and tastes like pure joy, and enough water to fill a small lake.
We also stock our stations with meat alternatives, like plant-based burger patties and meatballs, along with dairy-free cheese.
Medical Support: More Than Just "Rub Some Dirt on It"
When you sign up for a long, multi-day race in the backcountry, you want to know you’re supported if something goes wrong with your body (in all likelihood, something WILL go wrong).
Our aid stations are staffed with trained medics who know the difference between "normal ultra suffering" and "we need to have a serious conversation about your race day." Got a blister that feels like someone attached a lava rock to your heel? They've got you covered. Feeling a bit off and need someone to check in on you? They're there for that too.
Our medical teams come equipped with everything from blister care and anti-chafing supplies (thanks, Squirrel’s Nut Butter) to more serious intervention capabilities. They know you're here for a challenge, but they'll ensure you can tackle it safely.
Sleep Stations: Because Sometimes You Need a Timeout
Sleep deprivation is one of the biggest challenges our medics see on course (and a common factor in DNFs) , so runners should take their rest seriously. For any race over 100 miles, you’ll need to consider when and how you’ll get some shuteye.
On our longer races (Tahoe 200, Moab 240, Bigfoot 200, and Arizona Monster 300), we provide actual places to sleep that won't leave you more tired than when you started. We're talking tents with sleeping pads or rooms with proper cots.
These aren't luxury accommodations (you're still in the backcountry after all), but they're clean, safe spaces where you can recharge.
Bathroom Facilities: The Unsung Heroes (Because Nature Calls... Loudly)
Let's address the elephant in the wilderness: when you've been consuming electrolytes and calories for hours, your digestive system is going to have opinions. If you need to go and there are no aid stations nearby, follow Leave No Trace Guidelines and bury your poo or pack it out to the next aid station.
If you can hold it until the next aid station, we provide portapotties or lugaloos at every aid station.
At the Arizona Monster 300, we even set up a shower area about halfway through the race. It's the little luxuries that make the big miles bearable.
The Hype Factor: Themed Aid Stations That Don't Take Themselves Too Seriously
The best aid stations will lift your spirits with friendly faces, humor, and even costumes.
Some of our aid stations stick to the basics, while others add a little theatrical flair. It’s all up to the aid station captain — and we always have at least a few who insist on having a little fun!
Picture rolling into "Alice in Runderland," complete with Mad Hatter volunteers and glow-in-the-dark glasses. Or discovering a pirate-themed station decorated with blow up palm trees, stuffed parrots, and colorful leis while volunteers wearing pirate hats make you a burger (extra bacon, please).
Our aid station captains have also done tropical themes (because nothing says "beach vacation" like running through Washington’s forests in the middle of the night), Wizard of Oz setups (follow the yellow brick road!), and other creative concepts that make you wonder if you're hallucinating or if that volunteer really is dressed as Captain Hook.
Regardless, we’re a big fan of themes around here — a little whimsy can be the perfect pick-me-up when you need it most.
The Secret Ingredient: Volunteers Who Genuinely Care
We’ll let you in on a secret: volunteers really seal the deal. These incredible humans choose to spend their weekends in remote locations, often getting less sleep than the runners, just to support your goals. They're not just handing out cups of water — they're delivering pep talks when your soul is crushed, problem-solving your gear malfunctions, and celebrating every small victory like it's their own.
Our volunteers get rave reviews because they understand that sometimes what a runner needs most isn't another gel packet — it's someone who believes they can keep going when they've forgotten how to believe in themselves.
Sound like fun? We’re always looking for awesome humans interested in helping out fellow runners — learn more about volunteering here!
What It's Really About…
A kickass aid station isn't just about having good snacks (though those meatball subs don't hurt). It's about creating an oasis of support, safety, and sometimes silliness that reminds runners why they fell in love with this sport in the first place.
When you roll into one of our aid stations — whether you're crushing your goals or questioning every life decision that led you there — you'll find exactly what you need to keep moving forward. And if what you need is a pirate-themed pep talk while eating pizza, well, we've probably got you covered there too.
Ready to experience aid station excellence firsthand? Check out our upcoming races and prepare to be spoiled.
