After a sweltering week here in southeast Michigan, the Tri Goddess Tri at Portage Lake took place on a relatively cool morning. Whether divine intervention or just Michigan weather, it was a big relief to the more than 300 athletes who showed up for one of the triathlon options (up to Olympic distance), duathlon, or aquabike. Something for everyone with Epic Races, and that includes strong support for sustainability, which HPR was there to make happen.
Here’s proof that Zero Waste makes you happy!
We staffed a Zero Waste station a bit apart from the main post-race gathering area. This gave us more room to spread out, so we added a table for the “Free” box (permanent water bottles and other race discards) and our “Test Your Recycling Knowledge” quiz. All Waste boxes were set up in the adult beverages area, by the water/Gatorade at the finish line, in the kitchen tent, near the bathrooms, and in the transition area. We swapped these out when full.
No Water Monster at the finish today, but see the setup that kept this event free of disposable plastic water bottles! Everyone seemed to like it fine.
This setup worked well, with only a few pieces of litter here and there, and a few items to pick up in transition. We provided a pail to the Epic crew at takedown to collect the cable ties used to secure the fencing.
This photo is here because the fencing in the background was secured with cable ties. Nothing whatever to do with cute dogs or costumes.
Epic provided its standard spread of post-race food: egg and cheese wraps, pancakes, bananas, cookies, ice cream bars, and popcorn. In the adult area were sparkling water and vodka spritzers. As usual, the plates and utensils were compostable. Landfill consisted primarily of soiled foil used for the wraps, ice cream wrappers, and oily plastic bags from the popcorn.
The cups from the water stops had not arrived when we began our takedown, but I drove by one on my way to loading up, and took their bags. The other was ready as we prepared to leave, which I sorted back at HPR HQ.
Everything went smoothly thanks to a terrific team of interns Anna Beth and Cole, and volunteer Betty.
Team at the station. From left: Anna Beth, Cole, Betty.
The only surprises were one unexpected bag of trash from the transition area, and that some people must have pushed aside our All Waste box by the bathrooms, because I found quite a bit of race waste in the park’s trash can underneath it. Cover it with a contractor bag next time, I guess. Also, while the Bearclaw Coffee truck served their cold drinks in clear compostable cups (#7, PLA), the lids were non-compostable plastic (#1, PET). Good thing I checked. I let them know.
No complaints about such a well-run event, however. I even had time to sit a while and rest my post-Tahoe back!
Happy Planet Running 