From street runs to kit banks, Amie tells us how the Thorne Twilight Trotters turned old gear into a force for community, inclusion, and a healthier planet.
It’s easy to feel the crunch of consumerism on your running habit, but what if your next big stride for the planet started with your old, forgotten gear? At Thorne Twilight Trotters, we’ve learned that the most sustainable mile is the one you run in someone else’s pre-loved shoes. We didn’t just host a great run; we launched a kit swap and repair movement that’s proving fun and accessibility don’t have to cost the earth.
A Plogging start to a running revolution
Running outdoors connects us to the earth in a special way. We’re out there feeling the wind, smelling the freshly cut grass, but we also see the litter. It started with a plog (that’s picking up litter while jogging) for our club, but soon we realised the bigger impact: the gear we wear. Every new running jacket or pair of shoes carries an environmental cost. The textile industry is a major polluter, and the rapid cycle of buying and discarding kit piles up in landfills.
But running isn’t just a personal activity; it’s a community, and our club, the Thorne Twilight Trotters, decided to tackle this together.
This is exactly what running should be – fun, accessible, and inclusive without costing the earth!
Run, Rave, and Repair: our inaugural kit swap success
Running should be fun, accessible, and inclusive. That’s what drove us to couple our proposed ‘Run N’ Rave’ night with a kit swap and share event for the Great Doncaster LESStival. We aimed to tackle kit waste and break down barriers for anyone who wanted to join but didn’t have suitable gear.
Our first Run N’ Rave was a huge success. We welcomed new runners across four pace groups and a walking group, dancing and running through the streets of Thorne with music pounding from speakers we made from recycled materials. Participants used reusable safety lights instead of disposable glow sticks. No one was asked to buy anything new; we handled the fun and the kit!
The community response was incredible. Members donated a whopping 101 items of running kit, from shoes to rain jackets. Some items were swapped immediately, fitting grateful existing Trotters and new runners with exactly what they needed. The majority of the kit now forms a kit bank, a simple but powerful resource that ensures gear is never a barrier to participation for new members.
Making every mile accessible and sustainable
Our sustainable effort didn’t stop with the swap. We’ve also launched a ‘share & repair’ library. Mandatory kit lists for races can be expensive. Now, members can borrow items for their next event, saving money they can use to book a race!
Even better, our repair station lets runners love their existing kit for longer. Using simple packs like those from Pair Ups, runners learn how to fix tears, replace laces, and extend the life of their favorite items.
This approach creates a sense of shared ownership and pride. It’s the small, specific actions that matter most. Instead of talking about “environmental degradation,” we’re running past litter and saying, “We can do better.” Our runners are even passing around Damian Hall’s book, We Can’t Run Away From This, keen to learn more.
Passing the baton of responsibility
Running is a solitary sport, but sustainability is a team effort. When you see another runner using a repaired piece of gear or notice them picking up litter, there’s a nod, a shared glance that says, “I see you, and I’m with you.” This is how a running club becomes a force for local change—by choosing connection and resourcefulness over consumption.
We’ve proved that your old kit isn’t just clutter; it’s a valuable resource for someone else’s first mile.
What small, specific action have you noticed on your last run that connected you to your running community and the environment?
Want to share your own story with us? We’d love to hear it. Send us your story and inspire other runners in our community.
Thinking of joining us? Becoming a member is the best way to be part of the change. Join The Green Runners and stand with us as we work to make our sport more sustainable.
Ready to make your commitment visible? Our green patch is a simple way to show you’re a proud member of our movement. Get your TGR badge and wear it on your kit.