RF Events
RF Events puts on over 20 road and trail races, triathlons, and other events each year – including a snowshoe race!
RF Events has been Zero Waste since 2016, when Jeff provided recycling and composting services on a volunteer basis. When Happy Planet Running was founded the next year, RF Events was our first client.
(Pictured: Owner Randy Step at the 2022 Liberty Fest 5K/10K, holding the single baggie of landfill.)
I used to feel guilty about how much waste we were throwing away at events. I don’t feel guilty anymore.
Randy Step, Owner and President
Epic Races
Epic Races is a multisport race management company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The mission of Epic Races is to professionally manage safe, fun, and rewarding events, raise money and awareness for important causes, and make each participant feel like a champion.
Their races include local 5Ks, triathlons, and the Ann Arbor Marathon. They have been Zero Waste since 2017.
(Pictured: Owner Eva Solomon with Jeff and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor at the 2018 Firecracker 5K.)
We thought we were doing a good job recycling at our events until Jeff and Happy Planet Running came into our lives. We are proud to say that only 3% of our solid waste was sent to landfills during our first year working together. This kind of education should be mandatory for all event directors.
Eva Solomon, Owner
Ann Arbor Track Club
The Ann Arbor Track Club holds the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run, its keystone race a half-marathon from the town of Dexter to downtown Ann Arbor that is several thousand strong.
This race has been Zero Waste since 2018.
(Pictured: a Zero Waste Station on Main Street in Ann Arbor during the 2022 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run.)
“Jeff’s knowledge and passion means I no longer need to order a trash dumpster. Our landfill waste fits into one garbage bag.”
Michael Linkevich, Dexter-Ann Arbor Run finish line director
Tris4Health
Tris4health puts on triathlons and gravel bike races. They challenge athletes to set goals, adopt healthier lifestyles, and break their own barriers when they step up to the start line.
Happy Planet Running managed Zero Waste for Tris4Health at the 2022 Waterloo G&G gravel bike race and Ugly Dog Triathlon, after they took over management of the two events from Epic Races.
It was amazing to see how quickly and efficiently Jeff and his team broke down the waste into the various components and kept it out of the landfill! And they made it so easy for race staff who didn’t have to worry about trash cans!
Amanda Conkling, Tris4Health
Upland Hills School
The 2018 Run Upland Hills 5K/10K was the school’s first organized running event. They wanted it to be as sustainable as possible.
Jeff worked with the children and teachers planning the race, supplied compostable cups, and supervised the waste stations on race day.
“I showed the tiny bag of waste to the children in Race Class and they gave a spontaneous round of applause, as did the staff when I showed them later. Thank you so much for being a part of making our first run such a success.”
Robert Crowe, teacher and race director
NEMI Bay to Beacon
Bay to Beacon is a 5K, 10K, and half marathon along the Lake Huron coastline in the Black River area. The half begins at Negwegon State Park and ends at the historic Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.
The 2022 B2B was their first as a sustainable event. HPR provided Zero Waste services at the pancake dinner at packet pickup and the start and finish lines on race day, and trained a local volunteer in the process so she can run the Zero Waste program at their event in future years.
“Jeff, thank you so much for your services at B2B 2022! We are so happy for the great report and to make B2B a zero waste event! Because of people such as yourself, we can leave a positive impact on our communities.”
Joe LaVigne, race director
Happy Planet Running 