We all love to run – that’s why we’re here, right? We love it for our physical and mental health, to thrive within our run community, and oh! that endorphin rush! We love that big gulp of fresh air after the final push to the finish line, and we LOVE that well-deserved cold drink at the end of a long run.
But as we watch our streets flood, forests burn, and local communities literally in the line of fire suffer devastating consequences, it’s not hard to picture a time when running might not be as simple as stepping out of the house with a pair of shoes on our feet.
Did you know that in 2023, the number of air quality bulletins issued by Environment Canada spiked to unprecedented levels, more than double those of 2021, the next highest year?
In some parts of Canada, summer has become “fire season,” prompting us to ask: What can we do to ensure we can continue participating in the sport we love for future generations?
At Canada Running Series, we’re serious about supporting the communities we run through. That means supporting their health, well-being, and natural environments. We’ve put our money where our mouth is and made some big sustainability commitments, including certifying with the Council for Responsible Sport.
Here are the top five sustainability programs you can find at all Canada Running Series events:
1. Waste management at races
Forget dumping everything in one big dumpster and letting it go to the landfill. We’re BIG on waste sorting and do our best to divert as much event waste away from landfills as possible. This effort includes using compostable cups at all water stations, donating all leftover food to local food security programs, donating clothing to local charities, and sorting all the waste that comes through our events into recycling, compost, or landfill.
In 2024, we aim for our biggest waste goal yet: a zero-waste event* at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
*Note that “zero-waste” is commonly referred to as any waste diversion efforts that result in 90% more waste diversion.
2. Sustainable running medals
Our medals, including ribbons, are made of 100% recycled content! We order medals in two stages to make our orders as accurate as possible and reduce waste. All leftover medals are recycled after the event to ensure a full-circle life cycle product.
3. No more bottled water at running events
That’s right—you won’t find any single-use plastic water bottles at our events! The regions where our events occur are fortunate to have safe and reliable drinking water sources on tap.
That means we can avoid plastic and provide our participants with a delicious sip of water from a delightfully compostable cup straight from city sources. We are fully committed to this goal and request our stakeholders, partners, participants, and spectators to help us and do the same!
4. Bring your own bottle to Canada Running Series races
Did you know you can BYOB (bottle) at all our events? That’s right! Stop by our water stations with your own bottle, hydration vest, or cup, and we’ll refill it on the go. You’ve been training like that anyway; why not try it on race day and send fewer cups to the organics bin?
5. Introducing the Green Bib Registration Program
No shirt, no medal, no problem! All Canada Running Series events offer participants a green bib registration option, giving them a choice around what items they want to receive for their race day.
Instead of receiving a shirt or medal, green bib participants can donate $10 to one of our sustainability charities, Trees for Life or Trans Canada Trail – and you’ll get a charitable receipt for your donation, too.
So, if you’re running your umpteenth marathon and don’t have the space on your trophy rack for more hardware, now you can help our planet while saving that closet space for that coveted Boston jacket.
Making Sustainable Choices Every Day
We know sometimes it’s inconvenient or impossible to make sustainable choices every day, but we’re here to help you reduce the impact of your race day and make responsible choices that still get you to that finish line. By making conscious lifestyle choices and choosing events that prioritize environmental responsibility, we can all do a little bit to make a big difference in the future of our running communities.
