Light turquoise with a touch of royal blue is probably the most accurate description of the official color of the IAAF / AL-Bank World Half Marathon Championships 2014. An equally appropriate color for the giant international running event to be held in Copenhagen Saturday 29 March is green.
The sustainable initiatives within the event are specifically collection of the windbreakers and other warm-up clothes that the 30,000 runners throw before their 21.0975 km long run through the capital. And when the runners cross the finish line and quench their thirst with water from a half-liter plastic bottle, this bottle will also be collected and re-cycled. The money from the sale of clothes and empty bottles go to charity.
“Copenhagen is Green Capital of Europe in 2014. We are proud to show the world how small differences for large events can help to make a significant, sustainable difference without destroying the quality of the event,” says Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen who also participates in the World Half Marathon himself.
Other environmental considerations of next weekend’s World Half Marathon Championships is to provide electronical press kits on the USB sticks instead of print for the more than 70 accredited journalists from around the world.
Finally electric vehicles are being used when the IAAF president, Lamine Diack and other members of the IAAF need transport from the airport to the hotel and around the city during their stay in Copenhagen. Last but not least the lead car in front of 300 of the world’s fastest runners and 30,000 recreational runners is also an electric: An epic Tesla!
“With the contract for the collection and recycling of clothes and plastic bottles the IAAF World Half Marathon sends an important signal that we need to think in sustainable solutions when organizing events. And we note that the runners on facebook also have welcomed the green initatives very positively,” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark, that is one of the partners behind the event.
Editor’s Note
Aprox. 300 elite runners from 60 nations are expected to participate in Copenhagen in 2014. In addition 30,000 recreational runners from Denmark and abroad from 76 nations will also take part in the IAAF/AL-Bank World Half Marathon Championships 2014.
Organisers: The Danish Athletic Federation, Sport Event Denmark, Wonderful Copenhagen and the municipalities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg are supporting the event.
Read more about IAAF/AL-Bank World Half Marathon Championships 2014 here:
English.copenhagen2014.dk and on Facebook. #WHM2014