By Laura Briggs
We had a blast at the National Running Show on January 20-21, uniting with other likeminded environmental organisations to form the Running Greener stand.
Alongside the fab Re-Action Collective – championed by Tent Share, Ellie’s World and Little reCreations – Exhale Coffee, Tees not Trees, and our very own Darren Evans with Pair Ups, we created a little corner of planet-friendly epicness where we welcomed new members, shared our ethos and explained our Pillars with hundreds of other runners.
Members Nina Davies, Kate Strong and Darren Evans volunteered tirelessly all weekend to reach out to potential new members. Green Runners Simon Blackburn and I sat on the panel on the Saturday, with Isaac Kenyon, Oliver Perratt and Katherine Moore speaking on the Sunday. Each of us shared our own greener running story, giving ideas and encouragement. We even had Claire Maxted of Wild Ginger Running stop by to talk about her Pledges!
For me, it was wonderful to be a part of such a fantastic community over the weekend of the NRS, and to get the opportunity to reach out to so many new potential members of The Green Runners. Hopefully we’ve given more runners food for thought about how they move, kit up, speak out, and how they eat.
Co-founder of TGR and world record holding fell runner Jasmin Paris was on the stand on the Sunday, too, and we even had Patrick Grant of Sewing Bee fame come and discuss his new plastic-free athletics range with us, to see if the Green Runners could give him any advice.
We’ve had 25 new members since the show, either signing up at the event, or in the days following. Thanks to everyone who got involved and shared the Running Greener stand. With any luck, the ethos of sustainability and reflection of our habits will continue to grow and allow others to move along their greener journey.
