Going Green One Step at a Time

The Whistler Half Marathon is committed to producing a sustainable event, one step at a time. One of our biggest accomplishments to date was partnering with the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) since 2015 to reduce our event’s waste footprint. AWARE, Whistler’s environmental charity, focuses on the key themes of: Connecting People and Nature; Building Sustainable Community; and Safeguarding Habitat, Biodiversity and Wilderness Values. 

With their help we were able to take our simple garbage & recycling plan to the next level by annually reducing our waste footprint and setting a benchmark to beat in future years. Each year, a band of dedicated waste warriors step up to help us reduce our event waste, while also providing hosted zero waste stations to assist event attendees with segregation and waste related questions. 

We recognize that we’ve still got a way to go and will keep you updated as we continue to take steps in the right direction to protecting our earth. 

Highlights of our achievements to date include:   

• Providing an opportunity to educate the race participants, spectators and general public about our sustainable efforts,
• Since 2016 we have been a Zero Waste Event
• Donating surplus food remaining after the event to the local food bank,
• Partnering with Planetair to provide all race participants an easy and effective way to offset the carbon produced when travelling to our event. Please consider offsetting your carbon footprint.
• Partnering with Ridesharing.com to provide discounted ride share opportunities for participants.
• Conserving water on course and at the Start/Finish Area,
• Keeping printed materials to a minimum at the Expo and Race Package Pick-up,
• Frequently sourcing event equipment and materials from local vendors,
• Recycling our old logo banner material in to snazzy messenger bags and wallets with the help of Pinto Bags,
• Providing reusable bottles to all contestants to reduce the need for single-ise, plastic water bottles.
• Recycling old participant medals and t-shirts.

 
How You Can Help Us ‘Go Green’:

• Take only what you need at the post-run athlete buffet and at the water stations on-course
• Throw your used cups as close to the bins provided at aid station on course as possible
• Recycle! Clearly labelled recycling stations will be located in the finish area. They will be supervised by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers from AWARE. Take all your waste and recycling to these stations.
• Our start/finish line area is within walking distance of most of the accommodation options in Whistler, but if you’re outside the Village circle, we suggest taking the local bus!
• If you are driving, carpool to the start/finish area and park in Lot 4.
• Travelling to Whistler from Vancouver, there are various shuttle buses that make the trip easy.  Click here for more information.
• Do your best to recycle all items that you take home from the event.
• Consider offsetting your carbon footprint with Planetair