Whidbey Goes Green!

Building off the environmentally green focused activities that we have implemented over the last few years, the Nature’s Path Whidbey Island Marathon is looking to increase our efforts even more in 2008.

On-site Recycling & Composting: In 2007 our race participants played a significant role in helping us make the event more green. Via an onsite recycling and composting program supported by the WSU/Island County Waste Wise Program and the NAS Whidbey Island Composting Center, the event sponsors, vendors, participants and staff successfully recycled and composted more than 51% of the waste created during the event weekend. Knowing that 2007 was the first year of our recycling and composting program, with your help we look forward to recycling and composting an even higher amount in 2008.

The All-Organic Pasta Dinner: The All-Organic Pasta Dinner benefits are two-fold. Not only will the attendees get an amazingly nutritious dinner in prep for the race, but in sourcing the foods from a variety of certified organic sponsors, the attendees will know that no pesticides were released into the environment because of their meal. The dinner is limited to 250 participants and is expected to sell out. 

Participant Shirts made from Bamboo and Organic Cotton: New this year our participant shirts will be made out of bamboo and organic cotton. Specifically made for runners, these shirts are soft, wicking, professionally designed and good for the environment. You'll be proud to be seen in this shirt!

A Finisher's Medallion made from 100% Recycled Glass: Locally sourced and etched with scenes from Whidbey Island, our finisher's medallions will provide a one-of-a-kind memento for our participants while also lessening our footprint on the environment.

The Use of Recycled Paper: As we did in 2007, the Nature’s Path Whidbey Island Marathon will be using 100% post-consumer recycled paper bags for the participant goodie bags distributed at the event expo. These bags, graciously donated by Nature’s Path® can also be used as your clothing drop bag on the morning of the event. This year the event also printed all of our event brochures on a partial post-consumer recycled paper.

A focus on Carpooling: With an interest in decreasing the cumulative amount of miles driven to our event, we have posted our marathon on the events page of www.rideshareonline.com. Post a listing to share space in your car or look for space if you are looking for a ride.

Other Resources:

To learn more about what the running industry is doing to become more environmentally friendly and to see what you can do within your own running check out www.runnersworld-greenteam.com/.  

See what one of our sponsors, Brooks,  is doing to help the environment: www.brooksrunning.com/Green+Room/216