A year ago, co-founder Darren Evans highlighted the staggering waste at the Brighton Marathon. This year, the event announced a partnership with HydraPak to introduce refillable solutions.
While change comes from many directions, these moments show why it’s vital to keep the conversation going. When enough of us share evidence and advocate for better ways of doing things, organisers and brands have to listen. Speaking out isn’t just about pointing out problems; it’s about combining our voices into a powerful force multiplier.
How can changing your diet reduce your carbon footprint?
What we eat has a significant impact on our carbon footprint. Shifting toward a plant-rich diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental load.
- The action: Try swapping meat for plant-based meals just three times a week. Research from the University of Oxford shows that high-meat eaters who switch to a low-meat diet can reduce their personal food-related carbon footprint by approximately 35% [Source: Oxford University/Nature Food].
- The multiplier: If you encourage just two running buddies to join you in this swap, your collective impact is equivalent to one person entirely giving up animal proteins. By speaking out about your favourite plant-based recipes, you make sustainable fueling accessible and social.
- Explore more: How we fuel: resources
Is carpooling the best way to lower travel emissions?
Travel is often a runner’s largest carbon expense. Nowadays, race organisers are increasingly striving to plan logistics around easy access via trains and buses, often providing shuttle links from local stations. Public transport remains the preferred option because it offers the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger mile.
- The action: Always check the race website for travel links or use tools like Google Maps to plan a public transport route first. However, if driving is truly the only way to get to an event, commit to carpooling. A 2024 study published in Nature Communications highlights carpooling as a vital behavioural instrument for reducing “vehicle kilometres travelled” and lowering greenhouse gas emissions [Source: Nature Communications]. Adding just one passenger effectively halves the carbon emissions per person for that journey.
- The multiplier: Don’t just carpool: organise it! Post in your club’s group chat to coordinate a “Green Runners convoy.” You’ll reduce the number of vehicles on the road, foster community spirit, and put peer-reviewed science into practice before you even reach the start line.
Explore more: How we move resources
Should you follow the “rule of 500” for running kit?
The most sustainable piece of kit is the one you already own. While many are told to replace shoes every 500 miles, many shoes can go much further with the right care and maintenance.
- The action: Extend the life of your gear. Before buying new, give your shoes the “squish test”—check if the midsole still bounces back. If the upper is torn, use a repair kit. Extending a garment’s life by nine months can reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20–30% [Source: WRAP].
- The multiplier: Wear your commitment! Our Green Runners badges are handmade by Preloved Sports CIC from unwanted race t-shirts. Pin or sew one to your kit to start conversations. When someone asks about your “well-loved” gear or your badge, tell them why you’re keeping kit in the loop.
- Explore more: How we kit up resources
How does speaking out amplify our collective voice?
Speaking out is the pillar that holds all others together. It’s how we hold brands and organisers accountable and ensure our hobby part of the solution to the climate crisis.
- The action: Ask your local race organiser about their environmental standards. Simple questions like “Will there be a bag-drop instead of a plastic-wrapped finisher shirt?” or “Are there plant-based options at the finish line?” carry significant weight.
- The multiplier: Join a Local Meet Up to connect with like-minded runners. By showing up and sharing your experiences, you help grow the collective voice that brands and governing bodies can’t ignore. And your membership directly supports our mission to offer more resources and outreach to reach more runners.
- Explore more: How we speak out resources
Take your next step
Ready to amplify your impact? Join The Green Runners and make your pledge today. Choose one action to focus on this month and share it with your running club. Don’t forget to tag your adventures with #badgebimbles so we can see your sustainable kit in action!