FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waddell & Reed KC Marathon Certified Gold for Sustainability
KANSAS CITY, MO – The Council for Responsible Sport has certified the
Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon with Ivy Funds as a Gold Level green
event. This is the first time the marathon has filed for certification and
the first time the event has received certification. Only 20 events in the
world have received gold level certification their first year filing since
The Council for Responsible Sport was founded in 2008. Of those 20, only 13
were marathons and half marathons.
"Our staff and volunteers work hard to reduce our environmental footprint,"
said Sarah Dee, Director of Events. "We are so proud that the Waddell &
Reed KC Marathon has been a zero-waste event the past two years."
The Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon with Ivy Funds collected over
10,445 pounds of waste. From that, 10,265 pounds were either recycled or
composted. This makes the diversion rate from the landfill 98.27%,
classifying it as a zero waste event. There were 132 pounds of heat sheets
recycled, and over 245 pounds of discarded clothing and 4,468 pounds of
food donated to a local homeless shelter.
In addition to the diversion rate, one hundred percent of volunteers
registered online and 98% of race participation registration was conducted
online. Vinyl event banners from over the years were sent to
Relan in Minneapolis who turned them into Grab and Go bags. Relan’s mission
is committed to having a significant impact on sustainability for the next
generation. All 16 aid stations utilized fire hydrants for their water
source instead of using gallon jugs of water, 100% recyclable race bibs
were used and Ultramax Sports used the Print-on-Demand technology to cut
down on apparel overage.
"At the Council, we are continually impressed by the Kansas City Sports
Commission for its commitment to hosting more sustainable events that are
accessible, inclusive, showcase great partnerships, and educate
participants and spectators about how to be more environmentally
conscious," said Shelley Villalobos, Certification Director. "We're
thrilled to award this Gold Level certification that was so well earned."
The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is proud to partner
with Missouri Organic Recycling as we work towards reducing our carbon
footprint. Because of this partnership, the Waddell & Reed Kansas City
Marathon with Ivy Funds has been a zero-waste event in 2013 and 2014.
The green efforts of the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation
is led by a team of volunteer committee members. Onsite, the Waddell & Reed
Kansas City Marathon had the help of 125 volunteers to this specific area.
The Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon host hotels, Sheraton Crown Center
and Westin Crown Center are both certified green by the MHLA.
About Council for Responsible Sport
The mission of the Council for Responsible Sport is to provide objective,
independent verification of the socially and environmentally
responsible work event organizers are doing, and to actively support event
organizers who strive to make a difference in their communities.
The Council for Responsible Sport is an Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. For more information about Council for Responsible Sportvisit
their website at http://www.councilforresponsiblesport.org/.
About The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation
The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation benefits the Kansas
City region through sports by creating, attracting and managing major
sporting events for Kansas City. And, promote the lifetime benefits of
sports for youth through educational initiatives, tournaments and clinics.
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