Going Green, the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) was awarded silver-level certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, becoming the largest event to date to earn this distinction. CRS provides an independent, comprehensive certification for sustainable athletic events evaluating five categories: Waste, Climate, Materials & Equipment, Community & Outreach, and Health Promotion.
The MCM achieved over a 32 percent reduction in waste to landfill in just one year's time. The standard decrease in waste to landfill for most events is ten percent. The MCM reduced waste by more than a pound per runner or 8.5 tons compared to 2008 totals.
 Athletes for a Fit Planet consulted and provided on-site support for the MCM's environmental initiatives.
An aggressive recycling effort at the Finish Festival supported by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District and Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services led to the collection of 3.2 tons of recycling materials, the largest haul in the three years of this program.
MARINE CORPS MARATHON GREEN TEAM CHALLENGE
Together, MCM and FitPlanet asked runners to share the responsibility and commitment to the environment by running green and entering the MCM Green Team Challenge. Many entries were received and, while two runners were selected to form the MCM Green Team, all runners are encouraged to exercise as many environmentally practices as possible. Christopher Stephens of New York, NY and Allison Lassoe of Sheffield, Massachusetts will comprise the 2010 MCM Green Team.
Christopher and Allison will receive an entry into the sold out 2010 MCM; a pair of Brooks Green Silence, a performance racing shoe made from recycled materials; a PriorLife tote made from recycled MCM finish line banners; carbon offsets from Native Energy; a Nathan hydration pak; and much more from sponsors such as Dasani!
Lassoe and Stephens demonstrate how athletes and ordinary individuals can make simple changes to support the greening of events. View winner blogs detailing their green plan and MCM journey by visiting Athletes for a FitPlanet.
 Allison Lassoe, Sheffield, Mass:
"You should think about being 'green' the same way you approach running a marathon. You start training to run a marathon by getting out of the house for a 10 minute walk and you start being more environmentally active by using one compact florescent light bulb. When you realize the first step is doable then focus on the second step until one day, you realize you are leaving less of a carbon footprint and crossing under the finish banner."
 Christopher Stevens, New York, NY:
"There are several effortless ways runners and spectators can assist event managers reduce waste. It is so easy to be green and I constantly seek out such opportunities from utilizing water fountains at Central Park to recycling swim caps after triathlons."
MCM Eco-Friendly Programs
REDUCE
 The MCM is already proud to offer paperless applications for all events, as well as electronic finisher certificates to reduce unnecessary waste. This year, the MCM Race Program will be eco-friendly as well. Working closely with , the first printing company in the US to be awarded Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council, the MCM race program will be printed entirely on recycled paper and features a custom mix of vegetable-based inks. Be sure to check out program in your race materials and see if you can tell a difference! Hopefully you’ll keep the race program as a memorable keepsake, but if you must throw it away, please recycle!
Staying at the race headquarters hotel? The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill is one of only two “Green Seal Approved” hotels in Washington, DC with a host of programs to minimize waste and maximize efficiency. Click here to learn more.
Hargrove, the show designer for the MCM Health and Fitness Expo by GE also operates with a variety of eco-oriented programs. Click here to learn more.
Even the B-tag timing chip is environmentally friendly. Click here to see how it stacks up against the reusable timing chip.
REUSE
 In 2009, the Healthy Kids Fun Run featured an eco-friendly race bibs, created by emediagroup. Composed from post-consumer waste and wildflower seeds, the seed paper bibs allowed runners to commemorate their race by planting their bib. Families can enjoy the resulting Black-Eyed Susans along with the satisfaction of being green!
 Runners and spectators saw lots of event signage throughout race weekend to designate locations, provide directions and more. The MCM makes every effort to reuse banners from year to year to reduce waste and save the energy needed to produce more. Additionally, the MCM’s signage creators at Britten Banner revamp non-reusable signage into new products, including tote bags, like those used as part of the Super-Size Goodie bags!
RECYCLE
For a fourth year, Arlington County will collect cardboard and plastic recyclable materials at the race finish as well as at all Arlington-based water points. At MCM, approximately two tons of material was recycled, including cardboard, water jugs, and water and PowerAde bottles. Additionally, clothing shed by runners on the streets of Rosslyn was donated to a local shelter.
Trash collected at the MCM is removed from site by the local company Special Events Rental. They will compost race waste including cups from the water points and beer garden, as well as recycle materials such as the HeatSheet blanket runners receive at the finish line.
How Runners Can Help
GET A MOVE ON!
 Get involved in the MCM’s new Trash Run program. Each time you embark on a run, take time to look at your surroundings and at any trash along the way. Make a plan to grab a bag or container to pick up the trash on your route. Whether its paper, plastic or any other object– tell the MCM where you found the trash and how many bags you collected. Take a few pictures while you are removing the trash and Marine Corps Marathon may post your photo on this page.
RECYCLE!
Take advantage of the recycling stations throughout the course. Simply toss your plastic bottles and cardboard materials in the designated recycling receptacles instead of the trash.
TAKE METRO!
 The simple act of taking public transportation instead of driving a vehicle can reduce hundreds of tons of CO2 emissions. Get around town during the MCM weekend by taking Metro. The DC Convention Center, home of the Health and Fitness Expo, is located just steps from the Mt Vernon Square/7th Street station off the yellow or green Metro lines. On race morning, the blue and yellow lines to the Pentagon Station offer the easiest access to baggage drop-off and the start area.
SHOE-A-THON!
 Not sure what to do with those athletic shoes that are passed their running prime? Donate them to the MCM Shoe-A-Thon. The MCM will be collect gently used running shoes at all 2010 events to be donated to the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network (A-SPAN), which supports people who are homeless, living on the streets or facing homelessness. Look for the Shoe-A-Thon collection boxes at the next race to make your donation. |
