Why FitPlanet?

FitPlanet estimates that upwards of 25 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 doubles. 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. And few have comprehensive recycling plans. That means that those cups you're handed at the aid stations and even the plastic bottles of water you drink at the finish line often 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 2007 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. Very few, if any, of these athletes offset their emissions.

Then there are the products we buy and the companies that support the races and events we participate in. How environmentally responsible are they? We deserve to know how and where they manufacture their products and the impact they have on the environment.

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

That's why FitPlanet.

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