Today, we would like to introduce our partner "Greener Miles Running". They are an environmentally friendly trail running event company based in the North East of England. We love their idea of up-recycling running clothes during their events as well as awarding runners with a packet of wildflower seeds instead of medals. This embodies one of YAMAtune's philosophy, which is reducing the waste - "無駄をなくす". Are you ready to discover a new eco-friendly adventure? Without further ado, this is their story:
We are an environmentally friendly trail running event company based in the North East of England. Our aim is to bring innovative and challenging running races to some of the most beautiful and dramatic places in the UK, ranging from 10k night-time races in local woodland to ultra-marathon distance epics on the fells and mountains of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Our company has been founded by people who are genuinely passionate about trail running and having a positive impact on the environment, which is why we have been working hard to create events in areas managed by organisations who share our ethos. We have signed up to the North Pennines Responsible Tourism Charter, which means that we commit to ensure that our events consider the environment, local economies, wildlife, landowners and farming etc.
Our events are about reminding participants why they started running on trails and why they continue to love the sport today. For us, it’s about the sense of adventure, the feeling that we are going to places and seeing views and landscapes that most others don’t. The best souvenir is reliving the memories of deserted mountain tops or secluded woodland trails, or reminiscing about the times when you enjoyed a smile to yourself while getting battered by the weather on an isolated moorland track.
We respect the landscape and nature of the locations in which we hold our events and strive to protect and improve the environment of those areas. Where possible we buy goods and services from local and sustainable sources and our events are single-use plastic free: so, no plastic cups or packaging. We minimise waste produced, distributing unused food items to foodbanks throughout the North East. We encourage car sharing or the use of public transport, distribute race communications via email and recycle everything we can. We prefer to only provide multi-use functional race mementos and choose not to offer plastic race t-shirts.
While the race bling given away at many races is popular and nice to have, in many cases it is bad news for the environment. We are committed to educating participants about the environmental implications of these giveaways and engaging them in our alternative, minimalist approach to race memorabilia. Our focus is on your overall experience, rather than plastic-heavy goody bags. Inspired by ReRun clothing, we have decided not to offer t-shirts at any of our events. We have collection points where you can bring your pre-loved running kit: all donations so far have been given to the Cedarwood Trust, who share it with their users in the community to help them access sports activities.
One gift we are happy to give away is a packet of wildflower seeds for all runners to take home and plant, thereby encouraging bees and other pollinators into gardens (supplied by https://www.justbeedrinks.co.uk/ ).
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Along with many other race organisers, we have had to postpone races until 2021. However, we have maintained some motivation and community spirit by hosting virtual running events over many lockdown weekends. Runners from across the UK (and sometimes beyond!) were encouraged to enter teams and submit results for challenges ranging from hill climbs, fastest 5k, team 24 hours and a tactical points competition. Find more GREENER MILES RUNNING.
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