Rhedeg Yn Wyrdd – Run Greener
Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru – Welsh 1000m Peaks Race
Ras Copaon 1000m Cymru/The Welsh 1000m Peaks Race is committed to raising awareness of what we can ALL do to reduce impacts on our local and global environment, especially whilst we enjoy our sport of running in the UK’s open spaces and beyond.
Following a simple structure initiated by The Green Runners, the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race is working to address aspects of race planning and delivery, in line with The Green Runners’ Four Pillars of action below:
- How YOU Move
- How YOU Kit-up
- How YOU Eat
- How YOU Speak Out
In the words of The Green Runners,
We don’t need to be perfect, we just keep improving by putting the planet first when making decisions.
So, the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race is working towards doing so; together with YOU, the competitors of this iconic event...
Move
The race has been thinking about each and every car journey we make and our resulting carbon emissions, and by continuing to offer a cost-inclusive coach transfer for runners, from Llanberis to Race Start, the race is aiming to minimise the amount of single journeys that competitors/their drivers might make to facilitate a linear route. Please factor the concept of reducing journeys when planning your travel.
SHORT COURSE - all competitors will use group transport to travel from Llanberis Base to Race Start in Ogwen. This is the most efficient way of moving a number of people to Race Start.
LONG COURSE - ‘Race Base’ is situated in Llanberis to reduce the need for additional vehicular transport from the bottom of Yr Wyddfa. We have arranged a location for Race Registration near Race Start in Abergwyngregyn, which may help to simplify/reduce car journeys for some competitors who live locally. For many others, the most efficient travel solution is to arrive to Llanberis and use the group transport from Llanberis Base to Race Start in Abergwyngregyn.
Based on the logistics of The Welsh 1000m Peaks Race and its connections to Public Transport, the best outcome is for as many competitors to CAR SHARE as much as possible. Please use race social media pages to facilitate car sharing as needed.
Links to local accommodation are provided via Race Day Info, to promote the concept of ‘staying in the area’ and making the most of journeys made to the area. We shall keep working to agree any promotional discounts to race competitors going forward. Travel, run, stay.
Links to Public Transport options are available via Race Day Info and, although limited, can provide some options for competitors travelling on days either side of the race (train/bus).
Kit
The race aims to re-use as much ‘inherited resource/kit’ as possible and not create new kit/resource unless specifically required. Any kit and equipment that belongs to the race is looked after and stored well, washed and cleaned appropriately to prolong its life. Race Bibs will be recycled and please hand these in at Llanberis Base for recycling. Thought is going into prizes, merchandise and suppliers the race works with, to reduce reliance on the production of new items/kit year on year – all ideas welcome from the running community!
Prizes will aim to be useful and re-useable, or consumable, with consideration to packaging and suppliers.
Food
The race will not use single-use plastic containers for any drinks/refreshments on offer during or after the race. Drinks will be decanted from large containers, to refill competitors’ bottles only. A similar approach will be taken with any food on offer, to reduce use of single packaged items. This requirement will be prioritised with suppliers at Padarn Hotel, who are happy to work along the same lines. Any suppliers of food used in any promotions will already offer recyclable packaging.
The simple food options on offer after the race will suit vegan and gluten free dietary requirements by default, and will have been ordered/provided in such a way as to avoid food waste.
Awareness
By highlighting these actions to you, future competitors, the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race is hoping to keep building on current awareness and remind us all that we can always review our actions and decisions to help reduce our impacts on our local and global economy. Progress, not perfection!
If the race can use its network of competitors and suppliers to improve awareness of the issues that The Green Runners are also working hard to promote; that’s a start...
