Otley Run essentials: What to pack for the infamous pub crawl

It may be one of the best Leeds experiences on offer, but that doesn’t mean a 2.3-mile pub crawl is an easy feat. Expect ridiculous costumes, at least 16 pints and, likely, a touch of amnesia from pub nine onwards.

So if you’re up for the challenge, the Otley Run is guaranteed to be your ultimate test of friendship, footwear and tolerance. Whether you make unforgettable memories or completely black out, here’s a list we’ve compiled for everything you’ll need to survive the big day. 

Money

This one goes without saying, but with current pint prices, a mid-stop takeaway (or two) and at least 16 pubs to get through, you want a fairly substantial amount of money set aside for the day. We’re looking at £65 on the lower end, but be warned that this could easily creep into the £90-£100 range for those of you who seem to forget your bank account constraints as soon as you’ve had a few. 

A friend, or 12

The Otley Run is no solo mission. It’s a venture that requires willpower, dogged determination and serious amounts of alcohol. You need a solid support network around you to keep pushing on, especially when those sofas at Sky Rack start looking all too inviting for a mid-run nap.

But once you’re belting out tunes at Dry Dock, you’ll feel as proud as you would be crossing the finish line of the Leeds Marathon. That runner’s high is what’ll keep you coming back for more – trust me. 

Appropriate attire  

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Think along the lines of “a trip to the zoo”, “mathletes and athletes”, “dads on holiday” or “rhyme without reason” (this has got to be one of my favourite themes, inspiring duos like Susan Boyle and Just Stop Oil, Liam Gallagher and “off to Malaga”, an axolotl and a beer bottle and Legally Blonde and James Bond).

There’s quite literally no stone left unturned by the array of outfits on any given Saturday along Otley Road. Those bouncers have seen it all and they will be sure to welcome you with open arms. So, start discussing in the group chat pronto to get that theme sorted and avoid last minute panic.

Comfy footwear

Yes, maybe you and your friends are supposed to be going as the Mean Girls trio, but by the first mile in you’ll definitely be regretting the kitten heels decision.

Some comfy trainers won’t ruin your outfit (Post Malone in rainbow Crocs, featured alongside a Freddie Mercury/Stormtrooper hybrid in Air Force Ones, as shown above, should hopefully prove this). And, more importantly, they’ll keep you in high spirits all the way to that last song and dance at Dry Dock.

A jacket

Leeds weather is not to be trusted. What may start as a bright and sunny day can all too quickly turn on you. A jacket might cover up the outfit between pubs, and we know you want to show off your attire to passing cars, but it’s a worthwhile sacrifice to make. Nobody wants to end up like the group of men I once saw sprinting down Otley Road in torrential rain, all dressed as giant babies, wearing nothing but huge dummies, adult-sized nappies and bibs in coordinated pastel colours.

A costume first aid kit

Your Spiderman face paint may have turned heads for all the right reasons from pubs one to five, but by the time you reach Headingley Taps, you’ll probably be looking more like you’re ready for a belated Halloween celebration than a superhero-themed pub crawl. Pint spills can be lethal for the face paint, so make sure you’ve got top-ups stashed away somewhere. You’ll also need a sober enough friend to reapply it (although finding one of those will be difficult).

Some extra safety pins can be a lifesaver for unexpected wardrobe malfunctions – make sure you add a couple to the costume first aid kit too.

A smile

The Otley Run is every Leeds student’s rite of passage. It will undoubtedly be one of the best days out you’ll have all year and will spark some of the most fervent hungover debriefs in the morning. Pace yourself, get some food at the halfway point, and make sure you have a laugh, regardless of whether you’ll remember any of it by tomorrow!