Making Running More Environmentally Friendly

As interest in organized running continues to rise, so does the volume of waste created by large events. Much like concerts or festivals, marathons and similar races generate considerable trash and emissions. Participation has grown sharply in cities such as New York, London and Sydney in 2025, increasing the environmental impact linked to travel, plastic use and discarded paper products. In response, events worldwide are experimenting with new approaches to limit waste and promote awareness of climate issues.

New Yorks Initiative for Climate Action

In 2024, the New York Road Runners introduced the Team for Climate, a pioneering program for a World Major Marathon. Two hundred fifty runners joined the effort to encourage sustainable practices and support forestry initiatives that offer carbon offsets. The funds raised during the November 2025 marathon were directed toward projects restoring forests and waterways across more than seventy thousand acres in the northeastern United States. These initiatives achieved reductions in greenhouse gases and helped protect local biodiversity.

The team plans to continue its work ahead of the 2026 race, focusing on cutting back the plastic waste generated by water cups and race day bags. It is also addressing textile waste by urging participants to donate worn running shoes for recycling through Sneaker Impact.

Paris and London Advance Their Waste Reduction Efforts

The 2026 Paris Marathon is preparing to become the first major road race to eliminate cups and bottles entirely. All fifty five thousand runners will be asked to bring their own hydration containers, while aid stations will function solely as refill points. Paris moved from plastic bottles to paper cups in 2024, but both items will be removed in the upcoming event.

Waste accumulation has long been a challenge for marathons. In 2018, Westminster City Council collected thousands of kilograms of rubbish and recycling after the London Marathon. The following year, London cut seven aid stations, reducing bottle usage by more than two hundred thousand. Additional measures included testing compostable cups, using energy drink capsules and switching printed race guides to digital versions.

Large Running Events as Platforms for Climate Awareness

New Yorks Team for Climate has used its race apparel to communicate environmental messages, including running in shirts featuring color patterns that illustrate rising global temperatures. With their large audiences, marathons are in a position to highlight ecological concerns and promote public awareness.

These events can also draw attention to air quality issues. Research from Kings College London found that air pollution dropped eighty nine percent during the London Marathon thanks to road closures, showing how reduced traffic can improve urban air conditions. Other races are taking action as well. After determining that most Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc participants traveled by car despite available train routes, organizers introduced incentives for low carbon travel in 2026. Competitors who choose cleaner transport options will receive a thirty percent advantage in entry lotteries. The event has limited overall entries, prioritized environmentally conscious participants and restricted private vehicle access on most of the course. By promoting sustainable travel, the race aims to cut its emissions by twenty percent.

Author: Gavin Porter