FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MCM Encourages Environmental Awareness Among Runners, Spectators
Enacting "Greening" Efforts From Start to Finish for October Event
QUANTICO, VA (Sept. 23, 2014) - The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) aims to
decrease any impact the event has on the environment. With more than 60
percent of the MCM course located on National Park lands, the MCM is
partnering with the National Park Service and the Leave No Trace Center for
Outdoor Ethics asking runners and spectators to be considerate while
discarding trash such as water cups, plastic bottles, gel packs and
clothing items during "The People's Marathon." Over 30,000 runners and many
more spectators will participate in the 39th MCM and MCM10K on Sunday, Oct.
26 in Arlington, VA and the nation's capital.
"Although U.S. Marines, volunteers and contractors will rally on Marathon
Day to assist with trash and clothing pick-up from the Marathon and MCM10K
courses, runners and spectators are being counted on to 'stash their trash'
and to deposit it in containers located throughout the event," says MCM
Director Rick Nealis. "Everyone will want to be considerate of our national
parks and memorials while keeping the environment healthy too."
Trash and recyclable containers will be located throughout the MCM start
area and along runner corrals positioned on Route 110 in Arlington on event
morning. Containers also will be located at every water point and food
station along the courses and throughout the Finish Festival in Rosslyn,
VA.
In 2013, the MCM and its volunteers and partners, including the Arlington
County Department of Environmental Services, recycled over 11 tons
throughout the event. In addition, three tons of runners' discarded
clothing was picked up from the MCM and MCM10K courses. The clothing was
cleaned and then provided to area shelters with the help of the Rosslyn
Business Improvement District, which coordinated clothing pick-up
throughout the Finish Festival.
This year, the MCM is expanding event clean-up with the new "Adopt A Mile"
program that calls on local volunteer groups to pick up trash and
recyclables along Miles 5 through 20 of the MCM course. Groups such as the
Thomas Edison High School Cross Country Team, Girl Scout Troop 3572 of
Fairfax, VA, the Navy Supply Corps Foundation and the Filipino-American
Capital Church will "Adopt a Mile" while clearing the roads situated along
the MCM course.
The MCM also is partnering on a national level with the U.S. Park Service
and Leave No Trace to encourage a clean event while sending the messages to
"Stash the Trash" and "Can It." The MCM is the first marathon to work with
these organizations to promote environmental responsibility while educating
people of all ages to respect public lands. The Leave No Trace Center for
Outdoor Ethics's goal is to "ensure the long-term health of our natural
world."
In addition, the MCM is initiating plans to cut down waste with commercial
partners such as Turbana, to compost discarded banana peels at the Finish
Festival, with priorLIFE to re-purpose the finish line banners into tote
bags and with Fitful to provide "Mission Accomplished" reusable recovery
jackets to MCM and MCM10K runners. These jackets are distributed at runner
hospitality rather than the Mylar sheets, which are often discarded during
marathon events.
The Marine Corps Marathon encourages runners and spectators to use Metro to
and from the event while working with the Washington Metro Transit
Authority on the newly-designed reusable MCM "OORAH" SmarTrip card. The
card can be used by runners, spectators and volunteers for use on Metrorail
and Metrobus.
"In conjunction with the National Park Service and Leave No Trace, everyone
is encouraged to do their part while enjoying the experience of 'The
People's Marathon,'" adds Nealis.
Recently, the MCM was recognized by the Commonwealth's Virginia Green
Program for its "Environmental Commitment" toward recycling, reduction of
waste, green signage and for minimizing printed materials and disposable
food service products.
For more information about the Marine Corps Marathon visit
www.marinemarathon.com.
Voted the "Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic" and "Best Marathon for
Spectators," the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) honors the dedication,
sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Also known as "The
People's Marathon," runners from all walks of life participate in the MCM,
which is the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 39th MCM
sponsored by Arlington, Brooks, Hyundai and GE will be hosted in Arlington,
VA on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is
implied. #RunWithTheMarines.
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