Officials hope to leave their mark as first green marathon
The second annual Eugene Marathon will be a “green” event this year.
There are no specific guidelines that
determine a “green” designation, but race director Richard Maher had no
qualms about calling Sunday’s event the first of its kind in the
Eugene-Springfield area.
“Last year we didn’t have a plan for
garbage, everything got thrown into dumpsters,” Maher said. “This year
we have a plan, and (the Eugene Marathon) will be the first green
running event in Lane County.”
Maher said the marathon generated about 10
tons of garbage last year. He expects about 75 percent of that total to
be recycled or composted this year, most notably food, plastic water
bottles and 5-gallon water jugs.
The 6,000 stuff bags handed out to each
race participant will be reusable, race maps are being printed on
recycled paper, and “sustainable or recycled power” will be used during
the marathon’s three-day stay at the Hilton Eugene.
At the finish line, solar power will be
utilized via EWEB’s sun rover, and a local recycling outfit has been
hired to handle “sorting” chores and course cleanup duties.
Maher said registration is up nearly 25 percent over last year with a tally of 5,354 entrants for all races.
