Run Green

5K for Earth Day is striving to make our event an environmentally conscious one.

By its very nature, running/walking is a sport that utilizes the environment. As runner/walkers, we seek out the beautiful places that make us feel alive, free of trash and pollution. So it is only natural that as hosts of  this event we will want our "carbon footprint" to be a relatively clean one. We have made every reasonable attempt to provide our participants with eco-friendly products when costs permit, and deploy all the people-power we can to champion the recycling effort.

Here are a few of the ways we are "Green":

Encourage carpooling: Not only does it cut down on emissions and save gas, but it also alleviates traffic and parking woes. Rideshare to the race.

· People interested in ride sharing or carpooling to attend this year's Great Race are invited to sign up for a PickupPal account and become members of a growing and dynamic community. It is free to join and to use. On the site members can post their trip to the race as passengers and/or drivers, they can complete a profile, upload a photo or use facebook to connect to their profile. Within their account, PickupPal members can track the number of rides they have given or taken, the number of miles they have traveled via ride sharing and race can keep track of the amount of emissions we have all reduced as a result. See it yourself, click here to go to the rideshare web site. Help us help our beautiful planet!

·Water bottle recycling: One of the biggest areas of waste that can be seen at a running event is the excessive amount of water bottles. Therefore we have decided to utilize recyclable cups and have designated areas to deposit all recyclable waste.

· Cardboard recycling: We accumulate a lot of boxes. They contain t-shirts, fruit, foods and drinks. We collect and break down all of the cardboard and then send it off to be recycled.

· Monitored Route: We are aware of the potential impact running along the boulevards might impose. We take every measure to protect and preserve the environment. Volunteers will trek back along the course, and recycle, all bottles and wrappers.

· Online registration: We manage to save a small forest by having virtually all (99%) of our registrations done online, eliminating the need for a printed entry form and unnecessary paperwork.

· Recycling bins: Recycling bins will are placed throughout the event/post-race area to maximize the potential for recycled goods.

· Re-useable goodie bags: Not only is it eco-friendly, but it's smart and functional. All race participants will receive reusable nylon drawstring backpacks with all of their race goodies stuffed inside, eliminating disposable plastic bags.

· Donating clothes: Since start time can be chilly, we encourage participants to bring "sheddable" layers they'd like to have donated. All items left at the start will be donated to charity.

· Donating & recycling shoes: Have an old pair or two of running shoes that are too good to be thrown away? There will be receptacles available for your old shoes to recycle or donate. The following companies will receive the shoes: www.ecologyrunner.com    www.nikereuseashoes.com