There is no doubt that given the option we are gonna pick having a support crew to help you through your next ultra running race. Ultrarunning is in no small part an exercise in problem solving on the run (literally!).

Having a close friend and family member there with a car full of spare gear, favourite treats or even just a battery charger is no doubt a huge help.

Whilst there is a huge logistical advantage of having crew we can underemphasise how good it is to have a friendly familiar face waiting for you at the next check point. Coming into a aid station to see a friend or family member is always a huge boost for morale and often just the push you need to keep battling on to the finish line.

That all said, crewing for an ultrarunning race is a big ask. It often means hours of sitting and waiting to see your runner for for all of 5 minutes, where they will no doubt moan and whinge the whole time before you push them out on their way.

There is also the time taken, travel involved, a whole range of factors that can often make finding suitable crew difficult for your next race.

If you find yourself in that position don't be disheartened. The volunteers on course at aid stations are literal angels and if you plan well ahead there is no reason that with their help and some well prepared drop bags you can still get the most out of your race day.

These are our top tips for preparing your drop bags to help you with a seemless transition to get you back out on your feet.

1) Premix and measure out portions in advance.

I like to stick to things Ive trained with and I know work for me. It makes life a lot easier and things alot quicker if your premix your electrolytes before putting them into your drop bag and portion them out accordingly.

For me - I will make a 1 litre bottle with my electrolyte mix and write on the bottle with a maker exactly what is in there. This means the second I get in I can fill my two 500ml soft flasks quickly and efficiently or pass it to a volunteer and they can do it for me and know what they are doing.

2) No one has ever complained about a fresh pair of socks.

Filling each bag with a full change of clothes is cumbersome and inefficient. Whilst you may want to chuck a spare dry top or clean buff at an aid station (particularly if the forecast is rain) youre not going to change at every aid station. Socks are a different story. Blisters will ruin your day quickly.

There may not be a better feeling in the world then putting on a fresh pair of socks when youve spent the last hour sloshing through the mud with wet feet. They dont' take up much space and bang for buck can give you a huge boost when you need it most.

3) Pack a treat

You cannot underestimate how much having something to look forward to can keep you pushing to the next aid station. A cookie from your favourite local cafe? Your mom's homemade brownies? fireball (who said that!)?

The aim of an aid station is to keep you going, and a delicious little treat could be just the thing that does that!

4) Pick a unique looking bag

Usually the volunteers will have a good system for drop bags. That said mistakes happen, things get misplaced and if yours is one of a 100 bags from the local grocery chain its always gonna take longer to find.

Find something reusable and unique, or tap into your artistic side and make your bag stand out. Either way the volunteers will thank you for making their life easier and hey... may give you a little extra attention for it!

This are our top 4 tips for drop bags! If you have any you'd add drop them in the comments below!

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