The Missoula Marathon: Achieving 26.2 Sustainable Miles
The Missoula Marathon is right around the corner. It takes a community to put on such a great event; and one to keep it sustainable. Racers have been preparing for months to challenge their physical and mental boundaries. While they test their limits, they need support. Water and nutrition stations are offered at the beginning of the race, along the 26.2 mile course, and at the finish line. They are necessary to keep people safe during the run. However, utilizing plastic bottles, wrapped foods, and disposable cups causes significant environmental impacts at races.
Even race foods like bananas and oranges, conveniently protected in nature's best food wrapper (aka peels), are compostable but often tossed in the trash or on the ground. Compostable cups have taken the place of single use plastics, but still end up in the landfill. Seeing that these organic materials are put back into the soil, not in the landfill, is important for sustainable events. Otherwise, all our well meaning efforts are for naught.
Home ReSource has done their research and chose to build on methods that have proven successful. Recently, the Boston Marathon was able to divert 80% of their previously landfilled waste into sustainable streams, like recycling and composting, by “placing volunteer-run waste stations in high-traffic areas of the course so that athletes and spectators can sustainably dispose of things, rather than throwing everything in the trash (Outside, 2023)”.
Home ReSource developed The Green Team just for this cause. The Green Team will be supporting the marathon by helping runners and spectators sort their waste into the correct stream: recycling, compost, or landfill. Volunteering at events like the Missoula Marathon is also a great way to educate and raise awareness about sustainability in the community. Volunteers set an example by showing other local events in our community our expectations to keep Missoula clean and green. Keeping the Missoula Marathons sustainable allows this event to thrive and grow without depleting our local resources.
Not about The Green Team life? Here are other ways you can support sustainable efforts:
Transportation: Use public transport, cycling, and carpooling to attend the race.
Use Reusable: Bring refillable water bottles and reusable bags
Don’t Litter: Whether you are a runner or a cheerleader, pocket your waste until you can find a proper disposal method.
Say Hello!: If you see a green team member, be sure to thank them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you're confused about what waste goes where.
What kind of waste is found along the road?
Picking up every bit of rubbish on a six hour run
Your Friends at Missoula Compost
