FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carlsbad Marathon to Go the Extra Mile to be Litter-Free
Participants Asked to Only Have Feet Hit the Ground
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 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 at 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 Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon,
visit www.inmotionevents.com or call (760) 692-2900. For more information
on Keep California Beautiful, visit www.keepcaliforniabeautiful.com.
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