Today was a special day for me. I completed the 34th running of the Marine Corps Marathon, a 26.2-mile run through the streets of Washington and Arlington, Va., with a finish at a famed statue of Iwo Jima known as the Marine Corps War Memorial. I’ve run 17 marathons, but the Marine Corps has a unique place in my heart because it was the first marathon that I ran, back in 1994.
Two things struck me about today’s race. The first is that the MCM made a significant effort to “go green.” Marathons are, inevitably, messy affairs and they generate enormous amounts of trash. An estimated 850,000 (!) paper cups are needed to stock the water and Powerade stops to keep 21,000 runners well hydrated. Add to that 26,000 Clif shots, 25,000 bag of sports beans, 10,000 sliced oranges—well, you get the idea. Lots of garbage, much of it unavoidable.
The MCM says its goal this year was to cut the trash in half, and produce less than a pound of landfill waste per runner. Sponsor Aquafina set up recycling kiosks near the start and finish line. Race waste, including cups, is composted. And, in an experiment, the race bibs given out at a fun run for kids were made of recycled post-consumer and wildflower seeds. The young runners can plant their bibs and enjoy growing Black-Eyed Susans along with the satisfaction of being green. MCM also collected used running shoes at its expos, for donation to people who need them.
While much of this is symbolic, symbols matter. Promoting environmentally-friendly sports events is a nonprofit called the Council for Responsible Sport (ReSport), along with a group called Athletes for a Fit Planet (“greening the world one race at a time”). Cool.
On a more sober note, running in the Marine Corps marathon is always a reminder of the sacrifices so many people make for our country. Many of the volunteers are active-duty Marines, and you won’t be surprised to hear that the organization of the MCM is world-class. More important, many of the runners are military men and women and their families. This year, I saw lots of people running in memory of soldiers who had died in Iraq or Afghanistan—fellow soldiers running in honor of a buddy, young women paying tribute to their dads or brothers, more than a few mothers and fathers running to in memory of their sons and daughters. A good number of injured veterans, many affiliated with the Achilles Track Club, also participated in the race.
By coincidence, I tuned in C-Span in the car on the way to the race and listened to an interview with David Finkel, a Washington Post reporter and author of a book called The Good Soldiers, about an Army battalion sent to Iraq during the surge 2007. I’d read a rave review of the book in The Times, and the interview persuaded me to order it. (I’m also going to make a donation to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund–saw lots of people running on behalf of that organization.) Both the radio program and the race reminded me of how shielded those of us who live upper-class lives are from the human costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I only know one person who served and, as it happens, I met him in my marathon training group. My daughters are 22 and 25 and I don’t believe any of their friends have served.
Whatever you think about both wars, it’s too easy for many of us to forget about the terrible toll they have taken on thousands of families.
At the finish line, with daughter Becca and wife Karen
Congrats, Mark. Not to many of our age can do this. I’ve never run more than 10 miles, but I’ve hiked 25, half with a 35-pound backpack when resuppying for my last 9 summers in the wilderness.
Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians, perhaps the world’s greatest ultra runners, run for days with no trash other than some orange peels. Actually, they often eat those too. The bestseller “Born to Run” is largely about my friend Micah who lives with them half the year. In December I’m guiding my friend Steve Bremner, who at 54 ran all 20 Colorado marathons this summer, and his wife to some remote hot springs in Copper Canyon where the Tarahumara live: http://evanravitz.com/paradise
Congrats! Amazing history of running!
Grea for MCM but 1 pound of trash per runner is still too much. I run marathons (next weekend!) and do it zero waste. I take my own collapsible cup & get water from the jug, make my own energy snacks for the run (see recipes at runnersworld.com), forego the silver “blanket” (bring my own clothes for finish area) and bring my own water/drinks for the end of the race. The supposed energy foods and drinks are not necessary, just create a lot of waste…and what’s in them anyway?
Thanks, Evan, I couldn’t hike around the block with a 35-lb backpack!
Stephanee, thanks for your kind words and very good idea about making your own snacks and the blanket and I agree that a pound of trash per runner is too much. I don’t know about the collapsible cup–seems like one more thing to think about and my ability to think is not great past about mile 18. I have carried my own water in the past but I like the freedom of running without a water belt. I think if they are recycling or composting the paper cups, that’s OK with me.
Awesome – congratulations!! My brother in law was a Marine and went to Iraq. It does take a toll on family and I just think it is great to have this race and honor and support our troops. I am going to try and talk my brother in law into this for next year! I am so inspired by all of this and it encourages me to keep exercising. I tried jogging last week and it left me so sore that I had to use a TON of my Topricin pain cream. Oh well, at least it is natural and works. Thanks for sharing this well-written article!
Dear Marc,
Congratulations for your 17th marathon, I didn’t know you’d be running MCM. I had the honor to run with you my first long distances and when I was in doubt, you were always reassuring me I could do it. I’m glad you came back to the races. Training is great, but participating in a marathon is very energizing.
II appreciate Evan’s posting since I want to learn more about the Tarahumara.
Enjoy your post-race recovery!
Congratulations!!!
Marc,
A wonderful shout out to the marines.
And, congratulations on running the race.
Stuart
Congratulations, Marc! It was a terrific training season and I really enjoyed getting to know you on our long runs. Thanks so much for this post and a great summary of the day, from green to Marine.
Hope to run with you again soon!
Way to go! Cool to know you are a fellow marathoner as well as sustainability driver and GreenBiz writer. Some people make quilts from race t-shirts, inspiring me to make a tote bag from my race bibs. You must have quite a stash from your races…
I have a trail marathon on 11/7 and will take my own cup and snacks, doing my part to shrink trash/resource use. I do eat Clif Bar products for long runs/races but save the packaging to make stuff (TerraCycle also accepts used consumer packaging).
Great to see big races setting an example to inspire other races to follow suit, even recycling/composting cups from aid stations. Have not seen that at many races. I have helped set up recycling and helped race directors switch to lower waste systems/materials at several races – simple things any runner can do where they are.
Happy trails!