Racing Green
Make no mistake; putting on an event the size of the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon requires a lot of time, effort, and resources. We recognize the environmental impact a race like this can cause, which is why this year, we’ve partnered with Nathan Performance Gear to implement the Green Race Initiative. Through this effort, we will introduce strategies that reduce the amount of waste associated with our event, help our participants race green, and give back to green conservancy efforts in our community. By doing so, we can hold an event that is both dynamic for our athletes, while respectful of the environment in which its held, ensuring that future generations of athletes can continue to enjoy events like this for years to come. Read below for tips on green racing, as well as information on how we’re working to minimize our environmental footprint.
Run in races that give back.
- How you can: Look for events that feature a local charitable beneficiary, which helps to ensure the local community benefits from the event as well.
- How we are: This year, we’ve partnered up with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through it support of the Fairmount Park System, the home of our great race. Specifically, we’ll be working with the FPC’s Environmental Education Program and its support of the Green Cities, Clean Water initiative with the Philadelphia Water Department.
Ditch disposable.
- How you can: Though recyclable, the Container Recycling Institute estimates that an estimated 86 percent of plastic water bottles still end up in landfills. Using a reusable hydration handheld, belt, pack, or vest means eliminating the amount of bottles and cups that end up on the race course - or worse - in a landfill.
- How we are: To encourage participants to race green, we're offering the Nathan Green Race Trail Mix, a reusable two-bottle hydration belt. For each belt sold during the online registration process, we will donate five percent of the proceeds to the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Stay close to home.
- How you can: Look for locally-organized races, train in your neighborhood, and walk, carpool, or take public transportation to the event on race day. You’re not only cutting down on gas, travel time, and money, you’re supporting your local community.
- How we are: The race site is located in Fairmount Park, which is easily accessible by bicycle. We encourage our race participants to bike to Fairmount Park on race day. Need suggestions on a bike-friendly route? Visit the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
Take care of your clothes.
- How you can: Put off the need to buy new clothes by taking care of the ones you have. Use a detergent designed for technical fabrics, like Penguin Sport-Wash, to ensure apparel retains its performance features, keeping them working like new for longer. Air-dry clothes to not only prevent fabric damage caused by regular dryers, but to reduce the amount of energy used.
- How we are: Last year, all participants received environmentally-friendly made t-shirts, constructed from recycled polyester and bamboo. We’re exploring similar options for 2011 – stay tuned!
Make your own sports drink.
- How you can: Need more than water in your flask or bottle? Many sports or electrolyte drinks come in powdered or tablet form, which provides more servings with less waste. Instead of buying a case of individual plastic bottles, buy a small tube of tablets or one bottle of drink mix, make your own, and reduce waste and cost!
- How we are: Our aid stations will offer a chance for runners to fill up their reusable hydration bottles or belts with either water or sports drink. No disposable bottles needed!
