By Pro Triathlete Sarah Groff
Soon after moving to Boulder, Colorado, in 2005, I was fortunate enough to meet Barry and Jodee Siff, the 5430 Sports race organizers. In addition to hosting some of the most popular running races and triathlons in the US, Barry and Jodee are well-known throughout Boulder as being among the most energetic, friendly people you will ever meet, as well as having a strong environmental ethic in both their professional and personal lives.
They apply this green mindset to the 5430 race series, leading to the formation of Tri Sustainability, with the goal of minimizing the environmental impact of their events. As I am only familiar with their events from the racer’s perspective, I interviewed Barry to provide a better understanding of what it takes to create a sustainable event.
Sarah: Other than for reasons of your own commitment to being environmentally responsible, why would a race organizer take on the additional responsibilities associated with hosting a green race?
Barry: First and foremost, it is the right thing to do. I truly believe that any race director (RD) who lives by this philosophy will benefit in the long run. Aside from that, though, “going green” reflects a higher quality event, in general, and will resonate with a large segment of the triathlon world. Our efforts have been greeted with great excitement and support from our athletes; and, for some races, this could mean increased revenues. Also, “going green” can provide a basis for races to receive additional media exposure, which is good for any event.
Sarah: What do you think is the biggest, highest-impact change that a race organizer can make for the least energy and cost?
Barry: I always suggest to RD’s just starting this type of endeavor to start with small steps; but, I feel the most important – and most obvious – is basic recycling. Our triathlons generate a great deal of paper and cardboard, as well as cups, water bottles, etc. It’s a sin to have this end up in a landfill!
Sarah: As a race organizer in Boulder, you are fortunate to work with an environmentally aware community. Do you think that there is a similar level of interest in the triathlon community in other parts of the country? Have you received positive feedback from race organizers in less-environmentally aware communities?
Barry: You’re right – Boulder is super attentive to this type of effort, as are places like Portland, Oregon, and New England, where lots of similar initiatives are occurring. However, this is not, and should not be, a “Red State-Blue State” matter as one RD at a recent Symposium suggested. Our country can no longer afford to do things the old way. Triathlons and triathletes can take the lead in this area, and be influencers, no matter where they are.
Sarah: Many people seem to suffer a bit from eco-fatigue these days and feel a bit bombarded by green reminders. Why do you think that someone should care about the environmental impact of their athletic pursuits in particular?
Barry: Again, it’s the right thing to do. I agree that “eco-fatigue” can be overwhelming. The above-referenced RD Symposium went on and on about going green, to the point where even those in the crowd who were true believers were turned off. This should not be a preaching type gospel. People need to look at this as a sound business practice. I am currently reading “Green to Gold,” a book that shows clearly how and why we should tie “going green” to a cost benefit. That is, it makes financial sense to a business. Just as races are seeing now that cotton t-shirts are no longer acceptable, that chip timing is the norm, so too will be the greening of events someday – it will be the norm.
Sarah: What kind of positive and negative feedback, in regards to the “greening” of your events, do you get from athletes who do your races? For example: Do athletes feel inconvenienced? Are they more inclined to do the race because of the zero waste goal?
Barry: I can’t honestly say people do our races because we are a leader in sustainability; however, I will tell you that a lot of people tell us how awesome it is. As far as athletes being inconvenienced, we look at a lot of this as education – stuff that our athletes can learn, can experience, and then take home and to work with them. That is why we call our program “Tri Sustainability.” We want people to “try” it, and then take it with them.
Sarah: As athletes, what kind of changes have you made in your own life to live more sustainably?
Barry: Jodee and I recycle and compost to the “t.” We will also do things like recycle baggies, look for ways to lower our water usage. We have fully solar paneled/powered our house, as well as our hot water heater. We use a scooter and our bikes 90% of the time in the warmer months. And, most important, we spread the word and get others involved. We collect bike tubes, energy bar wrappers, and used running shoes at our home/office from our community of athletes, and we help recycle those to companies and people who will use and reuse them.
Sarah: Anything else you’d like to add?
Barry: Yes – SARAH GROFF ROCKS!!!!
Check out Sarah’s Page for Sarah Groff’s racing and environmental blogs.
BarrY Siff (center) and the 5430Sports green team with award
March 26th, 2009 
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