www.CTGreenGuide.com FALL 2016 • CONNECTICUT GREEN GUIDE 19
Hartford Marathon
steps up its green game
F
or years, organizers of the Hartford Marathon
have made a point of reducing the use of bottled
water waste generated at the race.
But with the sign-on of new title sponsor Eversource two
years ago, environmental friendliness took on a more cen-
tral role. The race now uses solar panels to help power event
operations. The Hartford Marathon Foundation last year
purchased carbon credits offsetting more than 70 metric
tons of emissions. Such credits are purchased from carbon-
emitters who are under their permitted emissions caps.
Race organizers are still focused on reducing bottled wa
-
ter consumption and waste. Last year's race used 7,450 gal-
lons of water from local taps, instead of bottles. Organizers
also distributed reusable bottles, and the finish line features
a custom 40-foot-long drinking fountain for thirsty runners.
The foundation also gathered 1,300 pounds of old
and obsolete signage and other material to be "up-
cycled" into bags and garbage receptacles. In total, the
race diverted approximately 18 tons of event-related
waste from going to a landfill, including food and cloth-
ing organizers donated to charity.
Organizers also partnered with eco clubs at UConn, which
managed composting during the October weekend race.
Hartford Marathon
PROJECT ELEMENTS: Energy & climate change;
water; material management; civic improvements;
innovation
START DATE: Jan. 2015
COMPLETION DATE: Dec. 2015
Disposable
water bottles
are a no-no at
the Eversource
Hartford
Marathon, so
runners receive
these reuseable
bottles instead.
PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED
CATEGORY: Individuals/Group
GreenCircle Sustainability Awards 2016
