Eco-Conscious Races and Athletes

A refreshing new buzz in the running industry is not only the greening of running products and materials but also race directors and participants embracing a green ethos. Inov-8 has always had a strong environmental policy where we understand our ecological footprint and try to have as low an environmental impact as possible. We are pleased to announce that we will be stepping up our efforts going forward in reviewing events and athletes that we sponsor and looking for some accomplishments from both that are more eco-conscious. This is not only the right thing to do but the running industry is starting to support this kind of effort. It is not just about getting more participants in your race but trying not to lose them to other more eco-friendly races.

Going forward Inov-8 will ask our sponsored athletes to be more conscious and become involved in some type of green work as one of the many pre-requisites for consideration to be on our team. We do have several sponsorered athletes and events currently who are very eco-conscious and go above and beyond the norm.

Below is an interview with an athlete who provides a great example of giving back to the sport by not only taking on the duties of directing a new race but also creating an environmentally friendly event. Elite ultrarunner Annette Bednosky was kind enough to take some time out of her hectic schedule to answer a few questions about her new race, The New River 50k in Virginia’s New River Trail State Park.


Interview with Elite Ultrarunner and Race Director
Annette Bednosky


1. Could you give me some basic information (description) about The New River 50k race?

The course is 100% dirt, flat and entirely along the New River and Chestnut Creek in the New River Trail State Park in southwestern VA. The New River Trail is a rail trail-an old railroad bed. This is a “green race” we will use local, recyclable items and products from companies with “green” practices as much as possible. 7-hour cutoff. At least 5 aid stations. Proceeds go to the National Committee for the New River. Choice of Nathan hand-held bottle or local pottery cup for all. Patagonia LS Capilene shirt for all finishers. Fee: $50 by 8/31, $65 9/1-10/9. Field limit 125.


2. What gave you the idea to have a eco-conscious race?

I am not sure exactly what gave me the idea. It came about while sharing a meal with ultrarunner/race director-all around good person Perry Edinger hours after we both finished Iron Mountain 50 Miler in Damascus, VA last October. He is an experienced organizer and RD and somehow in the conversation he was able to summarize and articulate “green race” after listening to me babble on about wanting to RD an event that would be great for runners yet also have a strong goal of being and bringing awareness of our “Earth impact” as ultra runners.
In my days before working as a school counselor I spent many years as an environmental educator and then Outward Bound instructor. So although it is a “stretch” to bring this into being-my ideology, I have tried to match this intentional approach for a long time! I am certainly not an expert on being “green” yet George (my husband) and I both strive to make good choices about our lifestyle and am learning tons as the planning for this event continues.


3. What makes your race “green”?

An excellent question-as there is no universal definition for green!
* We are striving to have 75% of the products, foods, awards, etc either come from /grown within 100 miles of Start/Finish, or from companies with demonstrated records of "kind earth" practices. (Sponsors include Patagonia, Clifbar, Nathan, Montrail and some local growers).
* All registration is online.
* Aid stations are spaced 5-6 miles apart and we are encouraging the use of personal water bottles
* Disposable products when necessary will be used with plans to recycle anything that can be recycled in the area.
*We are discouraging –though not prohibiting-crews (to cut down on vehicle use in the area) and providing drop bag option at the 1/2way point.
* Runners receive choice of entry “swag”: Nathan quickdraw or locally made pottery tumbler. This choice was important because I didn’t want to give runners stuff they couldn’t use and don’t want…(Although next year (hoping there is one) I am considering “an opt out of swag” option that will cost less $$$ and produce less “stuff”.
* Runners are encouraged to bring their own bowls and silverware to use at post race lunch.
* All proceeds will go to The National Committee for the New River

4. What were some of the challenges? Any extra expenses?

With the race filling to 125 this past weekend-one of the challenges is to simply say “no” to folks. I hate turning people away-yet I also want to provide a quality and safe event-an this being an inaugural event and my 1st time as an RD (and a person with a full time job and managing her own training)-I need to keep the line drawn somewhere!

One of the challenges is finding a workable balance between “ideal” and “doable”-I think most things that are ideal are doable-given enough time-yet although I have been preparing for this event for 10 months-more time and networking will draw me closer to the ideal. For instance, the “light lunch” which will be provided after the meal…I’d envisioned the meat and veggies in the soup coming from local farms and the eggs used in the cookies to come from nearby as well. A group of local women have volunteered to donate and cook a light lunch of meat/veggie soup, homemade bread and homemade cookies and fruit. Though I did share my “ideal” with them, I am very grateful for their generosity and willingness to make things in their kitchens (or the community kitchen) even though it may not have grown in the local soil. It is important to find “greenness” while working with the community and enjoying its tremendous support and influencing parts of the event where I do have more control.

I have also learned what can be “green” in one place is not possible in another. Although I would like to take advantage of some of the available compostable products-you need access to a commercial composting facility to help them break down the way they need to-and there is no such facility anywhere near Fries, VA! So I am learning that when no good choices exist, to choose the least harmful. (I.e.: even though waxed paper cups can’t be recycled-they take up far less space in a land fill than other sorts of cups!)

I also have learned that not everyone is supportive of where the proceeds for this event will go. The National Committee for the New River strives to protect the water quality and health of The New River in 3 states. I have had interaction with folks who call me a “tree hugger” and say I am making them poor…because NCNR has a history of preventing a dam being built in Northwestern North Carolina 30+ years ago! (And now they must pay more money for power) I had a similar experience while working for a school district in logging community in Oregon 9 years ago. I had the tires of my pickup slashed and was accused of caring more about the Spotted Owl then men and women keeping their jobs in the lumber industry! And at the time, working with my 5th graders- and being a transplant from NY-barely knew what a spotted owl was!

As far as expenses-yes, some things cost more. The Patagonia finishers shirts-even with a race director price-takes a good chunk of the entry fee. Yet it is important to me to support and showcase this company-because they, like ClifBar are a model of demonstrating environmental responsibility! By having registration 100% online-runners paid a service fee to active.com in addition to the entry fee. The paper products that we will use are costing at least 2x as much as the as the ones with a greater “footprint”. Currently I am in the midst of educating myself about the impact of embroidering the shirts vs. screening. Screening is cheaper-yet I am trying to make a good decision about the trade offs!



5. What kind of feedback have you received thus far from the running community? Sponsors?

For the most part-people have been GREAT and generous! I am thrilled and honored! Nathan products have been amazingly generous, as have Clifbar, Montrail, and Patagonia and smaller business. 4 individuals gave scholarships for runner’s entry fees! Runners from all over have offered to volunteer. I just keep my fingers crossed that all this help comes through! I know some runners don’t like the idea of a “flat” ultra-and I have heard some folks putting the event down yet I think that’s okay. If we all tried to do the same thing we’d constantly be in each other’s way!

This is certainly not the only “green event” of its kind, yet I do believe it is one of the few in the Southeast area. Runners interested in a technical, non-flat rooty course with this ideology should check out the Uwharrie Mtn Runs! (8/20/40mile options).

Thanks so much for checking in with me about this event and listening to me process what I am experiencing and learning!

Thanks Annette. Good luck with your race and your personal running goals!