Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 120, July 2019 | Page 15

# RUNCLEAN will take their learnings to the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN on 24 September and the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on 13 October. “The aim of the campaign is to drastically reduce the usage of single-use plastics by 85% at all three events in ther series,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “Our ultimate goal is to host a mass participation road running series that is plastic-free.” One of the biggest fans of these initiatives is Sean Falconer, Editor of Modern Athlete magazine. “We started our #runclean campaign to educate runners to stop littering during road runs, particularly through responsible disposal of plastic water sachets, and while this campaign is steadily leading to a positive change in behaviour amongst runners, the campaign is given even more impetus when event organisers get on board with the drive. Stillwater Sports is one of the most progressive event companies in South African road running in this regard, and I really hope more event organisers take a leaf out of their books with similar initiatives.” Spookhill Also Goes Plastic-free The latest race to take the plastic-free route was the Timbercity Spookhill Challenge 15km, presented by Helderberg Harriers in Somerset West at the end of June. Following in the steps of the Satori Camel Run, Milkwood and Tokai Manor races in the Cape, and with the approval of Western Province Athletics, the organisers made the decision to do something about the litter problem. Runners were told before the time that there would be no plastic water sachets handed out, but that Richard Runners embraced the refill stations at the Timbercity Spookhill Challenge 15km Sutton’s refill stations, as seen in the Peninsula and Two Oceans Marathons, would be provided on the route instead. Foldable running cups were on sale before the race, but many runners heeded the call to bring their own hydration pack or water bottle. “Recent events like Annie Bothma slipping on a sachet in the Two Oceans Half Marathon and not being able to finish her race, and the huge amount of litter, especially sachets and bottles found in drains as well as ending up in the ocean, is shocking. We don’t walk on the street and just chuck a take-away box in the road, so why would we do this when we run?” says Spookhill race director Izette Mostert. “For the average runner, filling up their bottle or collapsible cup doesn’t take much more time than veering to the side of the road to get a sachet. Ryan Sandes managed to run a 3:51 Two Oceans Ultra while stopping a few Bags and bags of rubbish collected during one of the FNB Run Your City Series city clean-ups times to fill up his bottle, so why can’t we do that?” she adds. True To Her Word One runner who happily took to the hilly Spookhill course was well-known trail running elite and journalist, Linda Doke. Famously, in a 2017 blog, she swore she would not run another road race unless it was sachet- free. Having coming out of self-enforced road running retirement, she posted pics on Facebook of the clean Spookhill route, and asked, “Which do you prefer – your race littered with plastic, or sparkling clean?” “On Saturday I ran the Spookhill 15km, a race committed to being sachet-free, and it was such a pleasure to experience clean roads from start to finish – not a single one of those nasty green or blue plastic sachets to be found! Huge shout-out to Izette Mostert and the Helderberg Harriers for making this happen. You’ve proven not only that it can be done for an entire race, but that the concept of carrying your own clutch bottle, cup or pack is really not the onerous inconvenience that some runners ignorantly believe it to be. So come on road runners and race organisers, be the change! Single-use plastic is steadily destroying our environment, so do your bit and run clean!” Think before you throw – #runclean! Modern Athlete readers can join the #ICarryMyOwn movement by purchasing a Fuelbelt handheld water bottle through this exclusive price offer! Fuelbeld Insulated Handheld retails for R599, purchase here for R399! Ultralight and of durable construction. It boasts moisture wicking air-flow for back of hand, as well as comfort padding. The bottle has Hi-Viz reflective accents and is 100% recyclable. Each comes with a removable phone holder and bottle cover with waterproof zip. 475ml capacity. 15 Carry your own water to reduce your reliance on single use plastic.