We’re Still Here!

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve had an event to work. But Happy Planet Running is still here! And when racing resumes, so will my work to keep events as Zero Waste as possible. The last event I helped with, the Super 5K in February, seems like it happened years ago. Now it’sContinue reading “We’re Still Here!”

Ann Arbor Track Club Salutes Zero Waste at its Flagship Event

The Dexter-Ann Arbor Run, a half-marathon put on by the Ann Arbor Track Club (AATC), has been held annually since 1974 and draws thousands of runners each year. As with any event that size, it generates a lot of waste. In 2018 AATC approved a Zero Waste initiative for the race, and landfill waste wasContinue reading “Ann Arbor Track Club Salutes Zero Waste at its Flagship Event”

A Record “Breaking” Event: Super 5K 2020 Sustainability Report

The Super 5K course was a little slick at start time, but we had a good turnout with lots of colorful costumes, and a solid Zero Waste effort. If only we could get the runners to stop fumbling their finisher glasses!

Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 2020 Sustainability Report

The Bigfoot Snowshoe Race has another great year, both out in the snow, and inside keeping event waste out of the landfill. When there is so little trash you misplace it, you gotta be doing something right!

Skiin’ in the Rain! Frosty Freestyle Sustainability Report

The first HPR-supported race of 2020 didn’t exactly go as planned. Who was expecting 50 degrees and all-day rain in the middle of January? But the park had snow and the skiiers wanted to ski, so the races went on, which mean the Zero Waste effort was on, too! Below is the sustainability report andContinue reading “Skiin’ in the Rain! Frosty Freestyle Sustainability Report”

Ho, Ho, Zero! Holiday Hustle Sustainability Report

The final RF Events race of each year is the Holiday Hustle, and over 2,000 runners braved the cold and came out to run a mile or the 5K. And, of course, we couldn’t lower our Zero Waste standards just because it’s a little cold and dark (okay, really dark). Could we improve on 2018’sContinue reading “Ho, Ho, Zero! Holiday Hustle Sustainability Report”

Snapshot Sustainability Report: Leftovers Run

A race to use up leftovers from other races! What a concept! Runners got their choice of a 5K, 10K, or 15K and received bibs, shirts, and finisher medals from random events. Plus French toast (made with leftover bread), cider, and hot chocolate. All that with Zero Waste, of course!

Stuffing Runners, Not the Trash: RF Events Turkey Trot Sustainability Report

Over 4,000 runners and less than two pounds of landfill. Now there’s something to be grateful for! RF Events continued its tradition of a Thanksgiving Day 5K in downtown Ann Arbor, and turkeys, giant fruit, and Christmas characters (even a Grinch) were there to run the 5K. (And some regular runners showed up, too.) WeContinue reading “Stuffing Runners, Not the Trash: RF Events Turkey Trot Sustainability Report”

Epic Races A2 Turkey Trot Sustainability Report

It’s turkey time again, and runners are getting an early start on burning off the calories. Hundreds of runners and their families showed up on a chilly morning to run a 5K or 10K, (or even both) and enjoy some pumpkin spice pancakes. And this year’s event was “greener” than ever, with a reduction inContinue reading “Epic Races A2 Turkey Trot Sustainability Report”

Hot Cocoa Classic 2019 Sustainability Report

What’s better than hot chocolate after a November morning race with a steep climb in it? Hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes, of course! And so several hundred people cheerfully ran or walked up and down the Mt. Brighton ski hill. The challenge for the Zero Waste team is handling a lot of wasteContinue reading “Hot Cocoa Classic 2019 Sustainability Report”