For several years “running” now, Happy Planet Running has served two events on the same morning; Flirt with Dirt, put on by RF Events, and the Island Lake Triathlon put on by Epic Races. The following is a combined report of our efforts on June 1. Both went smoothly, with great landfill diversion percentage as usual for these events!
Event #1 – Flirt with Dirt
Flirt with Dirt is a quick Saturday morning 5K or 10K at Maybury State Park. It’s part of the GOAT Trail Series of races put on by RF Events.
This race has been cupless since 2019, which reduces the overall waste significantly. This year set a record with less than 40 pounds of total waste, and another “single baggie o’ trash” this event is famous for.
Thanks to Sara for staffing the race and weighing the collected waste!
Event #2 – Island Lake Triathlon
This event offers a variety of distances in both triathlon (up to Olympic distance) and duathlon, with the Epic Races signature egg wraps and pancakes afterward.
The main Zero Waste station was by the food tent and entrance to the beer area, with All Waste boxes in the kitchen area, by the Water Monster in the vendor area, and at each transition entrance/exit. We did not cover the park trash cans as they were some distance from the race area, but I visited the two closest to the race area and removed any recyclables and compostables.
Compostables were up about 10 percent over last year, while recycling dropped by nearly half, due to a lot less cardboard and lower beer sales. Landfill came mostly from the foil used to wrap the (due to food residue) and the ice cream bar wrappers. Total landfill dropped by 10 percent (from 7 lbs. to 6.2) but the diversion percentage was up slightly due to the decreased recycling.
Thanks to HPR staffer Debbie and our volunteer Angela, who kept things under control and held down the fort while I went to pick up the Flirt with Dirt station.
Happy Planet Running 