sustainability

As an event organiser we have a responsibility to consider our impact on the planet. Whilst we are not perfect, we are proactive, and we work really hard to try to make a difference.

Please contact us if you have any ideas about how we can improve. We want to hear from you.

TRANSPORT

  • We encourage you to walk or cycle to an event if you are local, through communication we send to you by email.

  • Cycle parking is available at every event, either onsite or nearby.

WASTE REDUCTION

  • We use paper for temporary signage and checklists, and we only print the exact copies needed. The paper is then recycled using kirbside recycling.

  • We use white tac to secure temporary signage so that it can be used over and over again.

  • We use reusable cleaning sponges for cleaning and washing up, to avoid single use cleaning cloths.

SIGNAGE

  • Our road and arrow signage is made out of correx so that we can reuse them over and over again, even if they become damaged and have imperfections.

  • We use marker tape made from 100% viscose pulp.

  • At the start of 2024 we used up all our stock of single use cable ties and have moved to using reusable cable ties.

BIBS AND SAFETY PINS

  • We use waterproof bibs, made from High Density Polyethylene Fibres (“HDPF”). HDPF is recyclable along with stiff plastics, e.g. milk bottles. If you do not want to keep your bib and your local authority does not recycle plastic then we can recycle the bib for you.

  • New for 2024: we have a container for you to return safety pins at the finish of an event. You can even add to the collection if you have any excess safety pins lying around at home.

CUPS

  • We do not use disposable cups. Instead, we encourage you to carry a collapsible cup if you require water or Coca Cola at checkpoints.

  • We use reusable cups, e.g. a proper mug, to serve hot drinks at the finish. If cups are not available at a hired location then we purchase mugs so that the whole community can benefit from them for years to come.

MEDALS

  • You have the option to receive a wildflower seed or eco wooden medal, and we only order the exact quantity of medals that we need.

  • The wildflower seed medals are handmade by EarthRuns using recycled materials. Once you are done celebrating your success, plant it and it’ll grow wildflowers year after year for bees and butterflies to enjoy.

  • Unused wildflower seed medals (due to runners not starting or finishing) are planted rather than reused to sustain wildflower and tree planting volume.

  • The eco wooden medals are manufactured locally by Medal Studio. The material used is an ecological and renewable material that stores carbon throughout its life cycle. This wood comes from ethically managed forests, where more trees are planted each year than are harvested.

  • Any unused eco wooden medals (due to runners not starting or finishing) are given back to Medal Studio to power a bio-mass burner on a local farm.

  • Unused ribbons from eco wooden medals are sent to Little reCreations to be turned into something new.

TREE PLANTING

  • 1 tree is planted when you choose a wildflower seed medal, in partnership with EarthRuns.

  • You also have the option to plant additional trees when entering an event.

  • New for 2024: we plant an additional 50 trees per event because of the car journeys made by us and all the volunteers that help on the day.

  • We provide you with an EarthRuns Impact Report after an event has finished so that you can see the positive impact you have made.

*116 trees were planted via Trees Not Tees before switching to EarthRuns in November 2023

TROPHIES

  • Male and female finishers receive a Waymark post trophy reclaimed from the Yorkshire Wolds.

  • The trophies are manufactured locally by Driffield Men in Sheds and a charity donation given in exchange.

TEES

  • You have the option whether to purchase a tee when entering an event. This means you only pay for a tee if you are going to use it.

  • Our tees are available in both unisex and female fit and we show you the design in advance, so you know exactly what you are purchasing.

  • Our tees are printed locally by Atlas Embroidery and we only order what we need.

  • We don’t put a year on tees so that unused tees do not go to waste.

FOOD AND DRINK

  • All our checkpoint food and drink is vegan (and gluten free).

  • We have compostable bins at every checkpoint (and registration) because we provide fresh fruit at checkpoints.

  • We have recycling points at every checkpoint (and registration) and will try to recycle as much as we can through kirbside and TerraCycle recycling schemes.

  • Unused perishable and short dated food is given to a local food bank.

SPORTS CLOTHING RECYCLING

  • There is a collection point at registration for you drop off any unwanted sports clothing or equipment, including old event tees. These items are then given to PreLoved Sports and resold for charity or donated to other projects.

Running book and MAGAZINE RE-USE SCHEME

  • There is a collection point at registration for you drop off any unwanted running books and magazines. We also add our own magazines to the collection.

  • You can take any books or magazines to use for free, even if you have not contributed to it.

MEDAL FOR KIDS COLLECTION

  • There is a collection point at registration for you drop off any unwanted medals. These are then sent to RUNR who distribute them to schools, groups and others who can use them to help get kids out and be active.

Local food bank collection

  • There is a collection point at registration for you to drop off any spare food or drink to support a local food bank.

  • We also make a charity donation to the local food bank for each volunteer that helps on the day.

Our other Initiatives

We want to actively encourage women on our start line and have committed to follow SheRACES guidelines. 40% of our start line were women in 2023.

We have partnered with Into Ultra to provide financial assistance for anyone local who cannot afford to take part in one of our events.