P3R announced that this year’s 2018 Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was the greenest to date with 96% of the event’s waste diverted from landfills, an increase of 3% from last year. Combined, the Great Race and 2018 Dollar Bank Junior Great Race reached a total diversion rate of 92%. This is the fourth year in a row the events have successfully diverted over 90% or more of its waste from landfills.
“As Pennsylvania’s largest 10K race, we are conscious of the impact on our community and are committed to hosting an eco-friendly race,” said Race Director Brian Katze. “Green initiatives are an important part of the operational planning of race weekend and something we strive to improve each year.”
Compostable cups at water stops, food recovery sent to local food banks, online “virtual race bag” offers and waste stations located throughout Point State Park are just a few examples of how race organizers’ commitment to “greening” the event focuses on all aspects of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” throughout annual planning and implementation.
Since 2008, race organizers have worked with the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) to create a comprehensive Zero Waste Program for the event. Items collected from the start line, course and finish line are sorted and are reused, recovered, composted, or recycled whenever possible. The partnership with PRC enabled race organizers to divert approximately 3,131 pounds of recoverable material that would have been sent to the landfill this year.
‘’PRC is proud to work with such committed partners that implement sustainable event solutions,’’ said Teresa Bradley, PRC Zero Waste Services Coordinator. “Additionally, PRC is excited to offer the Great Race platinum level Zero Waste recognition at its 4th Annual Zero Waste Awards Ceremony scheduled for February 21, 2019.’’
The 2018 Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and 2018 Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, which took place on Sept. 29-30, attracted more than 12,000 runners from more than 34 states and five countries. For more information about the events, visit:
www.RunGreatRace.com.
About the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race
Each year on the last Sunday of September, the starting gun sounds for a world-class road race that has become a true Pittsburgh tradition for the past 40 years. The Great Race – established as a 10K race by the late Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri – has attracted more than a quarter million participants since 1977. Over the years, this popular fall fitness classic has grown to include a 5K run/walk, running clinic, two-day expo and children’s race, with more than 16,000 individuals taking part in these various activities annually. For more information about the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race, visit
www.RunGreatRace.com
About Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, we also manage a variety of other high-quality races, events and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active! Read more at:
P3R.org