Running has become increasingly popular in recent years. Beyond its physical health benefits, many people find a space for self-introspection and de-stressing that allows them to escape from their daily routine. For example, in Spain, the Runner’s Survey found that the number of runners increased during and after the COVID pandemic and most people who practice this sport do it just for fun [1].
For this reason, sporting events such as races and marathons have become increasingly popular with more participants looking to break records and compete with other runners. But what is the environmental impact of these sporting events? How much CO₂ can be generated, and what impact can climate change have on its practice?
While sport is good for people’s physical and emotional health, it is important to reflect on the relationship between this and the health of the planet. Maintaining a balance between running and its sustainability is critical given the climate crisis that requires a collective commitment. Some key factors that may contribute to the environmental footprint of the organization of marathon races and large-scale events are:
- Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from extensive travel of competitors.
- The substantial generation of waste and residues during the event.
- The widespread use of disposable and single-use materials [2].
On the other hand, climate change effects can also have a negative impact on runners’ performance and the practice of this sport.
What impact does climate change have on running?
One of the biggest attractions of running is the ease of doing it. Basically all a runner needs to do is put on a pair of running shoes, get outdoors, and start running. But, having clean air to breathe, and safe spaces to run in is no longer guaranteed. In recent years, rising temperatures and poor air quality have altered the way runners train, and have even caused the cancellation of major events like races and marathons.
In October 2023, the Minnesota Marathon that has been run for 40 years, was canceled due to extreme temperatures that could endanger participants from heat stroke [3]. Similarly, the 18M training series of the TCS New York City Marathon was postponed in 2023 due to severe flooding in the city [4].
For a runner, hydration, nutrition and sleep are fundamental to perform well in a race, however there are external factors such as weather conditions that have significant impact on physical performance. A study by the French National Institute of Sport suggests that air temperature and a runner’s performance are significantly correlated, whereby runners are able to increase their pace in cooler temperatures. Thus, when the temperature increases, the runner’s speed decreases, and physical exhaustion rises [5].
Can sustainability be incorporated into running races and events?
In most cases, incorporating sustainability into mass sporting events is not usually easy due to the associated cost of organizing them. However, in the case of running, a marathon or a race represent a good opportunity to incorporate aspects that have a positive impact on both society and the environment.
The magnitude of these events, which in some cases host just over 50,000 runners, can be a major challenge to incorporate sustainability. However, some races have begun to opt for measures that help reduce negative environmental impact. For example, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has a sustainability program that focuses on environmental stewardship and community responsibility. In 2018, it received certification from the Council for Responsible Sport Evergreen Inspire Event, and in 2019, it became a signatory to the United Nations “Sports for Climate Action” initiative [6].
On the other hand, the Boston Marathon has incorporated initiatives such as reduction in the production of printed materials, sale and distribution of merchandise made from recycled materials, procurement of local goods and services, establishment of trash stations and volunteers who properly discard the waste, among others in its sustainability strategy. In terms of carbon emissions, the energy generators used for the event comply with the EPA Tier 4 emissions standard, leasing and reuse of infrastructure and equipment is included, and athletes are transported in public buses to the starting line reducing carbon emissions [7].
To illustrate further examples, the following figure lists other measures that major running events have begun to incorporate to reduce their environmental impact:
Figure 1. Environmentally responsible measures at running events
On the social side, many races are designed to raise funds for specific social causes such as fighting disease or addressing basic needs. For example, the world’s largest race with cause, the Bimbo Global Race (run simultaneously in 30 countries), donates 20 slices of bread to food banks for each registered runner [8]. Likewise, most races around the world are pro-diversity and also promote the participation and inclusion of people with special capabilities.
Invest in your health, invest in the health of the planet – What else can be done?
As a runner you can always incorporate “small actions” that can have a significant impact on the society and the environment. For example, deposit waste in the appropriate places, opt for responsible consumption of brands that reuse materials, participate in races with social purposes and environmental responsibility, among others.
For race sponsors, it may be attractive to present themselves as a socially and environmentally responsible company that supports events that measure and care about their impact. It is possible that in the near future, some kind of technology will be developed that harnesses the movement of the runners as a source of energy generation that can be used for the event itself or stored for the operations of the sponsoring companies.
But for now, as responsible athletes, it is important to promote socio-environmental responsibility among competitors, organizers and spectators of the races to help reduce their footprint. Remember to always “try to go the extra mile” by incorporating sustainable practices in your daily routine and activities.
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Sofía Saldívar is an analyst at HPL, graduated with honors in International Relations from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). At HPL she has conducted research, comparative studies, structuring thematic Bond Frameworks and preparing reports for financial institutions, development banks, sovereigns in LAC and international organizations. She also has experience in the analysis and interpretation of information, as well as in communicating with stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Sofía is also a seasoned runner who has participated in four half marathons, and in twelve 10k and 5k races. Her next goal is to complete the BMW Berlin Marathon in September 2024.
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References
[1] Consejo Superior de Deportes (2021). Encuesta del Corredor. Available here.
[2] Iberdrola (n.d) La sostenibilidad llega al mundo del deporte. Available here.
[3] CNN (2023). Annual Twin Cities Marathon canceled due to extreme heat. Available here.
[4] NYRR (2023). TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 18M. Available here.
[5] Abbott World Marathon Majors (2020). The heat is on. Available here.
[6] Chicago Marathon (2024). Sustainability. Available here.
[7] Boston Marathon (2024). Commitment to Sustainability. Available here.
[8] Bimbo (2024). Bimbo Global Race. Available here.