Twofer: Flirt with Dirt and Island Lake Tri Sustainability Reports

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 asContinue reading “Twofer: Flirt with Dirt and Island Lake Tri Sustainability Reports”

Little Green Team! Martian Invasion of Races 2024 Sustainability Report

Another perfect day for the RF Events Martian Invasion of Races at Ford Field Park in Dearborn, although the back part of the marathon course had flooded from the previous day’s rain, so the full was two loops of the half marathon course. Nobody seemed to mind. Our setup was similar to last year, withContinue reading “Little Green Team! Martian Invasion of Races 2024 Sustainability Report”

The Lions Slept, the Runners Didn’t! Super 5K 2024 Sustainability Report

The Super 5K at Novi High School on Super Bowl Sunday was very much a “blue” event. Of the nearly 900 runners, it seemed like 800 were dressed in Lions gear. Ah, what could have been! But spirits were high and conditions were perfect for a quick morning run. The Zero Waste team set upContinue reading “The Lions Slept, the Runners Didn’t! Super 5K 2024 Sustainability Report”

2024 Bigfoot Snowshoe Race Sustainability Report

The Bigfoot Snowshoe race in Traverse City went on despite several days of rain beforehand. The lodge’s property had plenty of snow left, albeit wet and slushy, but over 400 dedicated snowshoers ran the 5K, 10K, or one mile races. And as usual, your humble author of this report ran the 5K, and did surprisinglyContinue reading “2024 Bigfoot Snowshoe Race Sustainability Report”

Go, Gobble, and Gone! Downtown Ann Arbor Turkey Trot 2023 Sustainability Report

The RF Events Turkey Trot in downtown Ann Arbor on Thanksgiving morning is something like a “here and gone” event. I arrived at 6:30 a.m. to set up, the runners were off at 8:30, and we were packed up and outta there at 10:45, with Liberty Street clean and open to traffic like nothing hadContinue reading “Go, Gobble, and Gone! Downtown Ann Arbor Turkey Trot 2023 Sustainability Report”

The Things I Do For Trash! Epic Races Original A2 Turkey Trot Sustainability Report

This year’s Original A2 Turkey Trot promised to be quick and simple, at least from a Zero Waste standpoint, and after the crazy-busy summer I was looking forward to it. And then Epic Races director Eva approached the Zero Waste Station holding a full-size turkey costume. “Hey, Jeff,” she said. “How would you like to…”Continue reading “The Things I Do For Trash! Epic Races Original A2 Turkey Trot Sustainability Report”

Boogie Down, Light ’em Up! Bonfyre Trail Fest 2023 Sustainability Report

This year’s RF Events Bonfyre Trail Fest was what a fall trail race should be all about – cool temps, beer afterward, and, of course, fires big enough to keep warm and roast marshmallows. A welcome change from last year, when high winds prevented us from even lighting the fires. It was a great morningContinue reading “Boogie Down, Light ’em Up! Bonfyre Trail Fest 2023 Sustainability Report”

Pigging Out! Scrumpy Skedaddle 2023 Sustainability Report

by Green Team captain Rachael Rewitzer             What a time to BEE a sustainable race! Sunday was the RF Events Scrumpy Skedaddle at Almar Orchards & Cidery, home to JK Scrumpy cider, a necessity after their 5k and 10k races. Despite a large number of aggressive yellow jackets bingeing on leftover syrup, no one gotContinue reading “Pigging Out! Scrumpy Skedaddle 2023 Sustainability Report”

Back in Town! Ann Arbor Marathon 2023 Sustainability Report

Guess who just got back today? Those wild-eyed marathoners who’d been away… For the first time in many years, the Ann Arbor Marathon started and finished in the heart of downtown. Energy was high, both from runners and from spectators who paused their shopping and dining to cheer them on. Runners had the option ofContinue reading “Back in Town! Ann Arbor Marathon 2023 Sustainability Report”

Smooth! Running Between the Vines 2023 Sustainability Report

This year’s RF Events Running Between the Vines at Sandhill Crane Vineyards was notable from a Zero Waste perspective more for what didn’t happen than what did. Namely no nasty surprises, like hidden trash cans stuffed full. Everything went well, and with another large event the following day, the smooth experience was more than welcome.Continue reading “Smooth! Running Between the Vines 2023 Sustainability Report”