Why FitPlanet?

FitPlanet estimates that upwards of 1.5 million people take part in road races and triathlons in the US every year. Add to that figure the many bike races and rides, open water swims, and charity walks and the number climbs to over 2 million. The international events scene is at least as large. Globally our community is growing very fast.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that the vast majority of events in the US do not have formal long-term environmental plans. Very few even recycle. That means all those cups you're handed at the aid stations and the plastic bottles of water you drink at the finish line end up in landfills. Not to mention all the other trash that a race produces -- plastic bags, paper, cardboard, food waste, etc.

Then there are the greenhouse gases. Many athletes drive to and from events alone in their cars. And a good number fly once or twice a year to a key race. The Council for Responsible Sport estimates that the 1,787 athletes who took part in the Ironman Championship in Hawaii last year flew a combined total of over 18 million miles round-trip to participate in the race. This equates to almost 24 million lbs of greenhouse gases, according to the CRS.

Then there are the products we buy and the companies that support the races and events we participate in. How environmentally responsible are they?

As athletes we take care of our own health. Collectively, it's time we started to take a more active role in caring for the planet's health too.

That's why FitPlanet.