CARLSBAD, Calif. - (January 8, 2008) - In Motion, Inc., the organizer of the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon, is implementing a new anti-litter campaign and a plea to the participants to "Only Have Your Feet Hit the Ground."
Developed in partnership with Keep California Beautiful, a Sacramento-based non-profit environmental education organization, the multi-faceted plan will enlist the cooperation of participants, volunteers and spectators to go the extra mile to help keep the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon litter-free.
The plan will be implemented during the 26.2 and 13.1-mile road races, scheduled for Sunday, January 20. Over 9,000 runners and walkers from all 50 states and 14 foreign countries are registered for the sold-out events.
"We have always had an aggressive post-event clean-up effort," said Lynn Flanagan, race director and president of In Motion, Inc. "But sometimes used paper cups and empty energy gel packets can blow away or make their way to storm drains and eventually into the ocean. We need everybody to chip in to help keep the day litter-free and environmentally friendly."
The litter abatement plan includes an educational component to change the mind-set of participants who have been accustomed to throwing their empty water cups on the ground at water stations, a common practice at road races all over the world.
"The runners do not intend to litter," said Flanagan. "They know that volunteers and race management sweep up the trash at the conclusion of the event. But what they don't realize is that it is impossible to collect 100% of the litter and some of it can get away from us and possibly end up in the ocean." The plan and effort will serve as a case study and model for events around the country.
Participants will also be encouraged to be an "Eco-Runner," a term coined by San Huber of Milwaukee, Wis. who routinely runs with a trash bag and picks up trash on the run. Eco-Runners, according to Flanagan, have made the personal pledge to be more environmentally-friendly by being responsible for their own trash. They carry their own water or reuse cups to minimize the need for o many paper cups at the aid stations. Huber plans to lead by example and is entered in the marathon.
Race officials have also pledged to improve on the quantity and accessibility of trash and recycling receptacles along the course and to provide temporary mesh covering over storm drains located near water stations.
Both the Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon start and finish at Westfield Shoppingtown Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad and include stretches along the Pacific Coast Highway. The races are sold-out, but a limited number of entries are available though the official event charities.
For more information regarding the race and this program, visit InMotionEvents.com or call (760) 692-2900. Also visit: KeepCaliforniaBeautiful.com
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Special thanks to
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director.
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
http://www.runningusa.org
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