When I recently ran the Austin Marathon, I thought about how this 26.2-mile ritual would bring together the community, promote volunteering and encourage people to cheer on complete strangers. Marathons celebrate human durability and patience, Sustainability Science MS Alumni, I couldn’t help but wonder: what is the environmental cost of this large event?
Thousands of paper cups and small plastic gel packs were scattered across the street, dumped by hydration and candied runners on the go. Medals made of metal and ribbons were distributed to all finishers, not to mention excess inventory. The vast amount of usage, from bibs and timing tips to plastic-wrapped recovery snacks and thermal blankets, has created questions about the sustainability of the sport. Was there any advantage to closure of city streets, reducing vehicle emissions that day and encouraging an active lifestyle enough to offset the waste generated? Or is a marathon an event that, by its nature, leaves an oversized environmental footprint?
Marathon sustainability is a topic of growing concern. Some races have made progress towards reducing the impact, such as switching to compostable cups, procuring medals from recyclable bibs, sustainable materials, and even planting trees to create carbon neutrality.
However, it is important to understand the scale of the problem before detailing all proposed solutions. There are rough gatherings at the New York City marathon alone 38 tons of discarded clothing when a runner pours layers during a race. Even more surprising, this event is generated around 54.3 kilotons Carbon emissions (from one analysis) – equivalent to Boeing 747 424 transatlantic flights From New York to London.
To address these challenges, some races have investigated alternative hydration solutions, such as personal refillable bottles and innovative biodegradable pods made from seaweed. ooho pod It was featured at the 2019 London Marathon. These solutions have yet to see widespread adoption across the marathon circuit, as they are primarily due to logistical challenges and cost concerns.
Beyond hydration, other races are implementing creative sustainability initiatives. Boston Marathon Recently, we have introduced medals made from recycled steel and ribbons supplied from reused plastic bottles. Toronto Waterfront Marathon Impact Bib Program Funding sustainability charity in place of lace day shirts; Bass Marathon Each year, they plant one tree for 20 subscribers in their groves, adding more trees to further their carbon neutral racing goals. Several races, like the NYC Marathon, have helped to reduce disposable waste while replacing traditional disposable thermal blankets for reusable post-lace ponchos and providing runners with lasting memorabilia.
Despite these efforts, the reality remains that an event in the day requires extensive resources. Marathons require thousands of volunteers, produce large amounts of garbage, and often rely on sponsorships from companies with heavy giveaways for promotional materials and branding. Many of them are not sustainable. Even when sustainability is a stated goal, race organizers must balance financial constraints, logistical challenges, and expectations of participants and audiences.
This was not my first marathon. I was delighted to compete in the 50th Annual NYC Marathon, but still have the reusable post-race poncho they gave to all the finishers. I was hoping that my new hometown’s second marathon would be bigger than I did. I started a fundraiser and attracted attention. Local media And I was able to raise a meaningful amount of funding for the nonprofits I have always supported. I really believe that if I created a fundraiser without a marathon, the outcome would not have been the same. Whether they support runners, volunteer or donate to event-related charities, some force people to advocate for causes, as far as the nature of durability challenges.
When someone says they’re training for a marathon, the response is usually a variation of something positive. People may have a story of their race or durability that they want to impress, ask questions, or suddenly share. This is because marathons bring together individuals of all kinds. Running is one of the most natural human activities. 2 years old. Building endurance sports around such fundamentals is essentially a unified activity that transcends political beliefs, racial backgrounds, and socioeconomic differences.
But making race days sustainable is just a priority for a subset of participants and audiences. While some runners may actively seek green races or choose to carry their own hydration, others have focused on the personal challenge of completing races. That is, responsibility is largely up to race organizers, city officials and sponsors to implement greener practices without disrupting the runners’ experience.
Still, there is something enduring about the old marathon tradition rooted in history and human resilience. When I see my third marathon in a not too distant future, my hope is to see more sustainability efforts integrated into the organization. Organizers, sponsors and runners all play a role in making race days more greener. The future of marathons is not just about pushing human limits. That is to do so in a way that respects the planet.
Daryush Nourbaha, a Colombian alumni Science in Sustainability Science Program MS, I’m Collins Aerospace Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Manager. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, two daughters, a dog, Zoe.
The opinions and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Columbia School of Climate, the Institute of Earth, or Columbia University.
