The Green Race!

The Great Race is striving, with every recycled water bottle and donated sweatshirt, to make our event an environmentally conscious one, which in many ways is something we've been doing well before it became "cool."

By its very nature, running is a sport that utilizes the environment. As runners, we seek out the beautiful places that make us feel alive, free of trash and pollution, and many times where cars can't go. So it is only natural, that as hosts of a running event, we want our "carbon footprint" to be a relatively clean one. We make every reasonable attempt to provide our participants with eco-friendly products when costs permit, and deploy all the manpower 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 you can post your trip to the race expo and/or race as passengers and/or drivers, you can complete a profile, upload a photo or use facebook to connect to your profile. 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. We have designated areas to deposit used and emptied containers. We've been recycling water bottles for the last 10 years.
• 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 Trail Run: We are aware of the potential impact running through the Santa Monica Mountains might impose. We take every measure to protect and preserve the environment. Volunteers trek back in to the trails to collect, and recycle, all bottles and wrappers. Additionally, the Cheseboro Half Marathon has a relatively low participant cap so participants can safely stay on all established trails.
• 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 expo/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. After enjoying all the great goodies, please recycle any paper items in your bag.
• 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? One of the shoe stores on site will be taking old shoes to recycle or donate.

We compare our care for Mother Earth to that of preparing for a long run. It is something you must commit to and gradually build on as ability and resources permit. The same can be said about what The Great Race is doing, and plans to do, to host as much of a Green event as we realistically and reasonably can. Now, and in the future.