Our Sustainability Statement
The Akron Marathon commits to consider the social, economic and environmental impacts while putting on a world-class event. We seek to incorporate environmentally responsible practices through a process of planning, deliberate actions, measuring progress, and continuous improvement. These practices will help to reduce waste and energy consumption, encourage economic advancement and healthy living.
Sneaker Donation Program
In partnership with Sneakers4Good, we are giving shoes to those in need, displacing CO2 emissions, and conserving water.
If you have gently used shoes, we can help you pass them on and reduce waste!
During our Health & Fitness Expo presented by Akron Area YMCA, you can choose two ways to donate your shoes:
Bring your shoes to the Health & Fitness Expo!
Take a pre-labeled shipping bag to send shoes in at a later date!
Waste Diversion & Recycle Stations
What is a waste diversion rate?
At Akron Marathon Race Series events, we do our best to divert all possible material out of landfills. The diversion rate is a percentage of all potential waste that an event generates that is diverted from a landfill. The higher the percentage, the closer our event is to achieving zero waste status.
What contributes to the diversion rate?
Material that can be recycled, composted, or donated all contribute to the diversion rate. Since 2012, the Akron Marathon has recycled, composted, and donated material to help calculate our own diversion rate.
Help Us Divert at Finisher Festival Recycle Stations!
Instead of discarding or throwing away your material, we encourage you to bring anything you want to throw away to a designated Recycle Station at our Finisher Festival. Recycle Stations make it easy, with Green Team members taking your waste and properly diverting it to the proper bin.
What We Divert
Compostable Material: proper food waste, select food vendor material (like bowls, spoons, and napkins) gets composted with Rubber City Reuse!
Standard Recycling: Paper, aluminum, cardboard, and select plastics are recycled with the City of Akron and Rubber City Reuse.
Hard to Recycle Plastics: Not all plastic is easily recyclable! Thanks to our partnership with Alterra, we recycle hard to recycle plastics (heat sheets, chip bags, granola bar wrappers, & bottle caps) instead of putting them in the landfill.
Donations: When you discard your clothing at our Start Line or Relay Exchange Zones, we donate it to a local shelter for reuse. We also donate any leftover food or fluids from our Finish Line to ensure it does not go to waste.
Past Diversion Numbers
HydraPak Speed Cup
Every year, over 20 million trees are cut down to produce the single use cups. Marathon participants, on average, use 55 cups from start to finish. Our goal at the Akron Marathon is to reduce our dependability on single use cups to make less of an impact on the environment.
You can help by opting out of using single use cups at fluid stations and commit to going the reusable route. By hand-carrying fluid or bringing your Hydrapak Speedcup with you, we can eliminate the use of over 40,000 cups a year!
HOW THE SPEED CUP WORKS
How to use the Speedcup: Pack | Clip | Stash | Hold
PACK – Collapse or fold the cup and tuck it in your short, belt or pack pocket.
CLIP – Use a mini carabiner to clip the cup to your belt, pack or bra strap.
STASH – Tuck in arm sleeve, compression shorts or stash in your sports bra.
HOLD – Use the finger loop to carry the cup in your hand.
Approaching Fluid Stations
Signage on the course will notify you when you are approaching a fluid station. Volunteers at stations will be ready to fill your Speedcup using pitchers.
Instead of approaching a volunteer to grab a cup of fluid, approach an open volunteer who will fill your cup.
Keep on going! You can slow down and move to the side to drink your fluid as normal, or pinch the top of the cup to drink and keep moving. Store your cup as you did and get back to moving!
Fluid stations will be equipped to fill cups with both water and sports drink.
Speedcup Information & FAQ
Why is the Akron Marathon introducing reusable HydraPak SpeedCups?
We are committed to a sustainable future on the Blue Line by reducing waste and minimizing our environmental impact. The SpeedCup is a sustainable alternative to single-use paper cups, helping us create an eco-friendly race experience.
How does using the SpeedCup make an environmental impact?
On average, participants use 55 cups for every marathon. While not everyone will use that many cups in a race, using multiple cups at multiple fluid stations adds up. By forgoing the use of single-use cups, you can help make a dent in the 20 million trees cut down per year to produce single-use cups.
What is the HydraPak SpeedCup?
The HydraPak SpeedCup is a lightweight, collapsible, and reusable cup designed for quick hydration during races. It is easy to carry and can be conveniently tucked into a pocket, running belt, or hydration vest.
Do I have to use the SpeedCup?
No. While we encourage participants to use the SpeedCup, you may choose to bring your own hydration pack or use the recyclable paper cups available at fluid stations.
How do I clean my SpeedCup?
The SpeedCup is made from BPA- and PVC-free materials and is dishwasher safe (top rack). After use, simply rinse or place it in the dishwasher for thorough cleaning. We highly encourage reuse of the cup for events that support on-course refills, including the following year’s FirstEnergy Akron Marathon.
Will all fluid stations accommodate the SpeedCup?
Yes. Fluid stations along the Blue Line will be thoughtfully designed to accommodate SpeedCups, personal hydration packs, and paper cups. Refill stations will be located at the end of each fluid station.
Can I opt-out of receiving a SpeedCup?
Speedcups will be automatically included in your race packet. If you prefer not to use it, we encourage you to pass it along to a fellow runner or keep it for future races.
Will paper cups still be available?
Yes. Recyclable paper cups will still be available at all fluid stations for those who prefer or need them.
Is this the first sustainable initiative by the Akron Marathon?
No. Our sustainability efforts include ongoing shoe recycling programs and recycling stations in partnership with Rubber City Reuse. In 2024, we diverted 91% of race-day waste from landfills, a 41.5% increase from the previous year.
What should I do if I lose or damage or lose my SpeedCup before race day?
Unfortunately, we will not have replacement SpeedCups available on race day. You can use another hydration pack or the provided recyclable cups.
How can I get involved in supporting sustainability efforts?
Join our mission by using your SpeedCup, recycling appropriately at our recycle stations, and sharing your support on social media using #GreenTheBlueLine. If you are not a participant in the race, volunteer opportunities exist at our fluid and recycling stations.
Our Sustainability Partners
