All the News That’s Fit

This is the first in a regular FitPlanet blog by Matt Hill and Stephanie Brooke Tait, two intrepid Canadians who ran across Canada and around the US to bring attention to Climate Change. They are living proof that you can “be the change you want to see in the world,” as MK Gandhi said many years ago.

It all started as a crazy dream to run around North America in order to inspire people to take Action for our Planet’s health, one small step at a time. The two of us figured if we could run a marathon each, per tour day, we could inspire 1 million new single actions (from our website’s top 10 action steps list) and raise $1 million dollars, to start a legacy for kids, to fund their “green dreams” in schools and communities we ran through.

So after 18 months of training and planning, we hit the ground running on May 4th, 2008. In the course of a year, we ran about 215 marathons each, destroyed 14 pairs of Asics, and burned about 1.5 million calories (each). And we were privileged to present to over 30,000 elementary school children along our Run for One Planet highway.

Why would a couple of Canadians decide to do such a thing? We believe in action and felt this was how we could channel our energy to make a difference for younger generations as they learn habits and ways of connecting with our Earth. We passionately wanted to reach as many as our two sets of legs would take us and through an amazing team of 30-plus volunteers we were able to reach out to our “pint-sized eco-warriors” in 200 presentations.

The road was long. The hills were many. But the power of the human spirit kept us moving forward. Every single day we met more local hero’s who welcomed us like old friends and proved that the human spirit is indeed alive and well.

Now that we have been home for almost three months, and have had a few days of rest, we are creating a Legacy and thrilled to begin the book-writing process to share our story. And we are speaking to audiences about the journey about the richest, most amazing experience of our lives.

We hope our experience will encourage people to start to think about the impact they have on our Planet’s health. And we ask that you consider taking our Action Challenge and commit to doing one new action for our Planet’s health. It
will make a difference. And you never know what your one action will lead to and whom it may inspire.

If you’re inspired to help fund our “pint-sized eco-warriors green dreams,” then we ask you to donate to our Legacy Project.

7.13.09 – Athletes for a Fit Planet is pleased to announce support for Winning Time Americas’ commitment to environmentally responsible practices. FitPlanet will be providing environmental consulting and support to Winning Time America’s timing solutions providers and the event directors they serve.
Winning Time Americas Inc., a leading global timing solutions company for running, triathlon, and cycling events, has been making strides to green it’s own operations as well as the operations of the races it supports.
“We are excited to be supporting Winning Time’s efforts to encourage green practices,” said Bruce Rayner, FitPlanet’s Chief Green Officer. “Many race directors recognize the need to become more environmentally responsible and Winning Time is providing them with a path to achieve this goal.”
Winning Time recently earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise certification. The EPA program office works with companies to promote environmentally conscious business practices. Winning Time is the only timing company to date that has been awarded the certificate based on its design of reusable timing chips and its use of recycled materials.
Winning Time was selected this year as the timing system provider by Lilac Bloomsday Run and the Boulder Marathon in part due to the company’s commitment to environmental practices.

FitPlanet partners with ChronoTrack Systems to develop a recycling program to minimize the environmental impact of the innovative single-use timing system

Evansville, IN-based ChronoTrack Systems, maker of the popular D-Tag event timing system, is working with Athletes for a Fit Planet to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the environmental impact of the single-use D-Tag.

Working with ChronoTrack Systems, FitPlanet will introduce a program that encourages event organizers to collect used D-Tags post race and return the D-Tags to ChronoTrack for recycling and reuse.

“ChronoTrack Systems is committed to providing the highest quality timing system for timers, race directors and athletes,” said Dan Howell, President of ChronoTrack Systems. “We feel strongly that our commitment to quality includes minimizing the environmental impact of the D-Tag.”

The single-use D-Tag contains a UHF generation 2 radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag manufactured by Seattle-based Impinj, Inc. The RFID tag includes a silicon chip and aluminum antenna placed on a PET (polyethylene terephtalate) substrate. The RFID tag is encased in laminated paper to create the single-use D-Tag. The D-Tag is attached to the race bib, which is shipped to a race. At race registration, the athlete receives their bib, peels off the D-Tag, and attaches the D-Tag to their shoe.

The popularity of the D-Tag timing system has been increasing dramatically for a variety of reasons, including the time and resource savings it affords race directors. Earlier this month, ChronoTrack announced it had shipped 2 million D-Tags since introducing the technology in September 2008. That figure is expected to top 8 million in 2010 as more races adopt the single-use technology.

“Until now, the athlete has been responsible for the safe disposal of the D-Tag,” said Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet. “While the electronic components in the single-use D-Tag are relatively environmentally benign, ChronoTrack recognizes that as the number of D-Tags in landfills rises into the tens of millions of units, the environmental impact also rises.”

“ChronoTrack is doing the right thing by addressing the waste issue head on with a formal take-back and recycling program.” said Rayner.

FitPlanet will work with ChronoTrack Systems to immediately implement a recycling program for events in 2009.

Athletes for a Fit Planet provides consulting and on-the-ground support to help the LA Marathon achieve certification to the Council for Responsible Sport standard

Athletes for a Fit Planet is pleased to announce that the Los Angeles Marathon has earned certification to the Council for Responsible Sport (CRS) standard, the leading environmental standard for athletic events in the US. The LA Marathon is the largest marathon to date to achieve CRS certification.

“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with the LA Marathon to support their efforts to go green,” said Bruce Rayner, Founder and Chief Green Officer of Athletes for a Fit Planet. “The commitment of time and resources the LA Marathon team made to the process was significant. They have set the bar very high for other large events to aim for.”

FitPlanet worked with the LA Marathon to ensure the race earned 26 out of a possible 41 CRS credits in six categories: Waste, Climate, Equipment & Materials, Community & Outreach, Health Promotion, and Innovation.

Here are some of the results the LA Marathon achieved:
1. Reduced landfill waste to less than half a pound per athlete.
2. Runners received an online “virtual” goodie bag promoting race sponsors that eliminated the need to print about 1 million pieces of paper.
3. Provided “green” portable toilets at the start and finish that used non-toxic chemicals and recycled paper.
4. Incinerated and converted to electricity all the aid-station cups to show that refuse-to-energy is a viable alternative to landfill.
5. Encouraged runners to rideshare or use public transportation to get to and from the expo and the race in order to reduce carbon emissions.
6. Raised awareness of and funds for Heal the Bay, the official environmental charity of the LA Marathon that strives to make Southern California coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean.

“All running events should think seriously about undertaking this process,” said Nick Curl, the LA Marathon Race Director. “While we significantly decreased the environmental impact of the LA Marathon, the experience also encouraged us to build a stronger relationship with our community based on a shared belief that we can do well by doing good.”

In addition to the LA Marathon, 10 other races have earned certification to the CRS standard to date, three of which are FitPlanet clients: Marin County Triathlon, San Rafael CA; Portland Urban Epic, Portland ME; and the Nashua 10K Run for Food and Shelter, Nashua NH. FitPlanet is currently working with a number of events to help them achieve CRS certification in 2009.

May was a very busy month for Athletes for a Fit Planet as we helped green about a dozen races including the Cox Rhode Races in Providence Rhode Island on May 3 and the LA Marathon on Memorial Day.

As summer approaches, the racing and festival season is now shifting into high gear and so is the FitPlanet Green Team. Here’s a list of just some of the events we’re suporting in June and July…

JUNE
June 14 – Ashland Triathlon – Ashland MA
June 20 – Patriot Triathlon – East Freetown MA
June 20 – Mayor Newsom’s Stadium to Stadium 10K, San Francisco CA
June 20 – Life is good Festival, Boston MA
June 21 – Webster Lake Triathlon – Webster MA
June 27 – Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon – Seattle WA

JULY
July 12 – Amica Ironman 70.3 Providence – Providence RI
July 18 – Portland Urban Epic Triathlon – Portland ME
July 26 – Danskin SheRox Women’s Triathlon – Webster, MA
July 26 – Nautical New York City Triathlon – New York, NY

If you’re going to be at any of these events, look for the FitPlanet Green Team and say hello.

And stop by our booth at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Expo in Seattle on June 25-26 and the NYC Triathlon Expo on July 25 to sign the EcoPledge and learn what you can do to green the planet one race at a time.

Setting a high standard for environmental responsibility, the Sustainable Sports Foundation celebrated Earth Day on Sunday April 19 with the running of the inaugural Marin County Half Marathon, earthRUN 10K and Kids Races at McNear’s Beach Park, San Rafael, California.
The race brought out some local celebrities, including 2009 Half Marathon World Champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathoner Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, and Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. Professional triathletes Becky Lavelle and Kelly Couch won their divisions in the earthRUN 10K and Half Marathon, respectively. Newcomers Renaldo Cis and Salvador Garcia won the men’s races. Click here for full results.
Like the highly successful Marin County Triathlon , the Marin County Half implemented a number of eco-friendly practices including recycling and composting. The race used solar panels to power the event and encouraged runners to carpool to reduce the carbon footprint of the event. “It was all done with the intention of giving back to the earth” said Race Director Mark Liebert.
The Marin County Half Marathon donated and planted a native California Buckeye tree to celebrate the ceremonial Olympic Garden tree planting for all future Sustainable Sports Foundation events.

(R to L) 2009 Half Marathon World Champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathoner Magdalena Lewy-Boulet, Race Director Mark Liebert and former Olympian and race announcer Rob Powers make the first digs. photo by Jerry Downs

If you’re attending the Road Runner’s Club of America Convention in San Francisco then don’t miss the Green Your Race session on Saturday morning at 10:30. Athletes for a Fit Planet Chief Green Officer Bruce Rayner will be one of three presenters along side Jan Colarusso Seeley, publisher of Marathon & Beyond, and Mark Liebert, Executive Director of the “Sustainable Sports Foundation” and founder of the Marin Country Marathon. The session is moderated by Jeff Darman of Road Race Management who’s also a Past President of the RRCA.

See you there!

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

Event Power, Long Island’s premier race organization, is working with Athletes for a Fit Planet to green its nine triathlons, duathlons, and youth events this year, with a special focus on the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon and Mightman

“We are excited to be working with FitPlanet,” said Victoria Belegrinos, Event Power’s Race Director. “Our races are in some of the most scenic places on Long Island. We owe it to our athletes, the local communities, and the planet to be more eco-friendly, and will strive to be in 2009.”

The green focus in 2009 will be on Event Power’s two marquee events: The Mighty Hamptons Triathlon in Sag Harbor, NY, on September 13 and the Mightyman in Montauk, NY, on October 4. The Mighty Hamptons is one of the oldest and most prestigious triathlons in the country and frequently sited as a “must-do” race.

“FitPlanet is proud to be supporting Event Power’s efforts to go green,” said Bruce Rayner, Founder and Chief Green Officer of FitPlanet. “There are a number of eco-friendly practices we’ll be introducing in 2009 with the plan to add more in 2010 and beyond.”

This year, Event Power will focus on reducing the amount of waste going to landfill by implementing a comprehensive recycling program. In addition, Event Power will begin to address the carbon footprint of its races by reducing and offsetting its carbon emissions. Options include encouraging athletes to ride share and to purchase carbon credits to offset the emissions of their travel.

“Each mile you drive produces about one pound of CO2,” said Rayner. “The eco-impact of hundreds of people traveling hundreds of miles quickly adds up. “Ride sharing can cut an event’s carbon footprint nearly in half.”

If you’re an event organizer and want to get up to speed quickly on how to green your event, FitPlanet invites you to view our 60-minute webinar, The Green Racing Revolution – Strategies for Creating Cost Effective Environmentally Responsible Events.

The Webcast was produced in partnership with Active Endurance, which hosts a monthly webinar series for event organizers.

If you’d like a free 30-minute consultation after you’ve viewed the webinar, please contact FitPlanet’s Bruce Rayner to schedule a time at bruce@afitplanet.com or 508-429-0976.