Big Sur Marathon Going for the Gold…and Winning

The Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay has achieved Gold Certification for its innovative and operational efforts towards greening the popular 13.1 mile race. The certification was recently awarded by the Council for Responsible Sport, a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of environmental and social responsibility in sporting events.

Marisa McGilliard, Executive Director of the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS), called the Big Sur Half Marathon “one of the most progressive events in the world.” Currently only one other half marathon in the UK has earned Gold Certification and two triathlons have earned Evergreen Certification, CRS’ highest designation.

The CRS standard includes 41 credits in six categories: waste, climate, equipment and materials, community and outreach, health promotion and innovation. The Big Sur Marathon Half Marathon earned 32 points. With its focused efforts on recycling, reducing materials and composting food waste, Big Sur Half was awarded all nine credits in the waste category. The maximum number was also achieved in the categories of community and outreach, health promotion and innovation.

“It was truly a team effort,” said Karen Ferlito, volunteer chair of the Big Sur Half Marathon’s Greening Committee. “We had a dedicated committee and helped educate dozens of volunteers who staffed the waste stations to ensure the landfill trash, compostable and recyclable materials were separated,” said Ferlito. “Our volunteers helped the weary runners deposit their waste in the right bins.” As a result, the landfill diversion rate was 42% higher than in 2008 and 177% higher than 2007.

The “team effort” also included several local organizations including the City of Monterey’s Solid Waste Program; Eco-Action, a regional provider of innovative conservation strategies; Athletes for a Fit Planet, an environmental services firm that provides consulting and on-the-ground support to event organizers in the US, Canada and Europe; and the Monterey County Waste Management District. Each partner played an important role in guiding and assisting the Big Sur Half Marathon in various areas to achieve the CRS Gold Certification.

Brennen Jensen, program manager for Ecology Action of Santa Cruz who has been consulting with the Big Sur Marathon organization since 2007 lauded the race staff for working “tirelessly to bring these issues and changes to the forefront.”

In addition to the recycling and composting efforts, the Big Sur Marathon introduced several new innovative programs. It provided runners with one of the country’s first-ever “Virtual Goodie Bags” to showcase sponsor and vendor products online versus a plastic bag filled with paper brochures. It also integrated solar power for the finish line public address system, timing mats, music and awards stage, and offered ride sharing options through PickUpPal. Unclaimed clothes and running gear were donated to the Salvation Army, organic food was offered, and runners were encouraged to make donations to offset their carbon footprint of traveling to the race.

National Public Radio’s California Report featured an in-depth story on the greening efforts of the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay in early December. This, and other national publicity has helped raise awareness among runners, event organizers, and the general public about the importance of keeping sporting events as sustainable as possible.

The Big Sur Marathon team plans to continue with its greening program and will be working with Athletes for a Fit Planet on its CRS certification measures for the full marathon in April. “Given the commitment of the Big Sur team, there’s no reason why we can’t make Big Sur Marathon the greenest marathon in the country,” said Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer of Athletes for a Fit Planet.

The 2010 Big Sur International Marathon will be the 25th Presentation of the world-renowned race.

For more information, visit www.bsim.org or contact 831-625-6226.