Sports

Weston 5K Goes Green: Goodie Bag Online, Swag in Registration Packet

Bye-bye goodie bag! Weston 5K Memorial Day Road Race organizers are going green by stuffing the swag in the registration packet and putting the rest online.

A news release from organizers of the Weston 5K Memorial Day Road Race:

For the 21st consecutive year, runners and walkers at the Weston 5K road race will wind their way through residential neighborhoods shaded by huge oak trees on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. 

The running event on Weston’s certified course has become a Memorial Day weekend ritual for hundreds of participants. 

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The race committee, which sponsors the 5K to raise money for the Weston High School PTO, will also conduct a Fun Run for children in grades K-5.

A trip to the town’s fair and watching the Memorial Day parade along Weston and Norfield Road round out a traditional Memorial Day weekend.

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So, when the race is conducted on Saturday, May 24, what could be different?

The race will be a little greener this year, according to this year’s race co-directors, David Allon and Sue Mattison.   

Empty plastic water bottles and goodie bags filled with paper advertisements produce a lot of waste that can be reduced with a few simple measures.

After discussions with groups such as the Pequot Running Club, this year’s directors decided as a first step to inaugurate a virtual goodie bag to reduce paper handouts.

“Participants love free ‘swag’ at events,” Allon said, and the 2104 Weston 5K will maintain that tradition.  “But, this year,” he said, “runners will receive a code to unlock an online bag with exclusive offers from sponsors and local businesses.”

In addition, the first 500 participants to register will once again receive race shirts and physical goodies from sponsors, but shirts and swag will be found in the registration packet instead of in a separate bag.  

“The virtual bag is a terrific way to allow our sponsors to connect directly with race participants without creating a lot of waste paper.  At the same time, participants will be given the opportunity to save on products and services that interest them,” Allon said.  

At the water stations midway and at the end of the race, 5K sponsor Aquarion Water Company will provide fresh water in large, insulated jugs.

Volunteers will distribute the water to runners using recyclable paper cups and reusable, biodegradable, BPA-free water bottles.  Recycling bins will be available for disposable bottles.

The race committee has also continued to build out an online presence for sponsorship and registration, further reducing waste.  Super Race Systems, the timing and registration service for the race, has reported 94 percent of the 2014 registrations have been online.  The link to register for the race can be found at www.weston5k.com.

In keeping with the green initiative, TTEndurance, a local fitness and training facility, will provide cyclists to lead the runners through the race course.

The race this year will also include a more visible promotion of health issues related to running. 

Physical Therapists from Westport’s Ella Health, a health facility committed to advancing women’s wellness, will be available at the race to talk with women about the specific challenges they face as runners. 

In addition, Westport's Performance Physical Therapy Director, Alex Shafiro, and his team will be available under the Performance stretching tent to greet and meet the athletes.

All participants are encouraged to stop by their tent for a pre-race and/or post-race stretch.

“Whether you run, walk or just come out cheer on the participants, the race environment is electric,” Mattison said. “You can practically see the post-race endorphins flying around.” 

And, with a 10 day forecast predicting sunshine and temperatures in the 70s, the 2014 Weston 5k promises to be another exciting town event. 

As for K-5th graders, children can run 100, 400 or 1600 meters on the High School varsity track in the Fun Run, which begins at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the race. 

All participants receive a T-Shirt and a ribbon commemorating their day.  Children can be registered for just $10 at www.weston5k.com

Register for both races at www.weston5k.com.  Volunteers are needed!  If you would like to help on race day with the 5k or the Fun Run, send a note to weston5k@gmail.com. We’d love to have you!



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