Next month (Oct. 13) Hartford will host a world class running event.  The Greater Hartford Marathon is an elite race that brings world class runners to the big city.  The event has grown over the years and has become a great attraction for the city.  The race organizers, led by Hartford based United Technologies (UTC), have now taken the race to a new level, attempting to make it one of the greenest marathons in the country.

So how do you green a marathon?  One would think that the only thing would be water use, water bottles and waste removal.  But look closer and you’ll see that this race has instituted some cool initiatives, start to finish.  Here a few.

• A high-tech water fountain crafted by UTC engineers can quench the thirst of 40 runners at a time — avoiding the need for plastic water bottles, paper cups or other disposable drinking containers. Volunteers from United Technologies spent months designing the 70-foot long water fountain that includes 40 spouts and an entire day constructing it. There will be a tanker that holds 4,500 gallons and a well pump off the truck will pump it into this inch and half round pipe.
• In addition to serving organic foods supplied by Whole Foods, the event’s products are primarily locally produced and environmentally friendly.
• One of the race’s sponsor Toyota, will have a hybrid car as the pace car for the start of the race.
• The race will start and finish in Bushnell Park.  The park will host green exhibitors in the “Health & Fitness Expo.” 

Hartford has really made strides in becoming a more sustainable city.  The Marathon is just one more opportunity to continue enhancing our green image. According to Race Director Beth Shluger, the marathon hopes to become the “Healthiest Marathon on the Planet.” 

Source: The Greater Hartford Marathon Foundation and www.coolrunning.com

Filed under: Good Green Stuff, Green Sports