Going Green

Distance runners are some of the most ecologically conscious people around. From California to Connecticut, races are responding to athletes’ desire to tread lightly on the planet. The IMT Des Moines Marathon is proud to be part of several initiatives to cut down on the amount of trash we send to landfills.

First, we’re one of 30 races in the United States and Canada to be part of The Greenteam, a community that helps races and individual runners alike reduce their footprints. Second, in 2008 we were one of six races nationwide that took part in a pilot program to recycle Heatsheets. Third, we’re working with local associations on a joint grant program to make recycling convenient and easy for you all along the course and at the finish line on race day.

Runner's World Green Team
The Greenteam is a community for race events, runners and active individuals who care about the environment and a longer and healthier course for the planet. As a member of The Greenteam, you will be given the tools and resources to help shape the world where you live and run, locally and globally. This includes a number of running and sustainability resources from the experts at RUNNER’S WORLD and Nature’s Path, including training, opportunities to participate in green-friendly races and tips and tools for living organically.

That’s just a sample of what we’re doing as an organization.  Here’s what you can do as an athlete:

Heatsheets
All IMT Des Moines Marathon - Marathon finishers are offered a heatsheet.  These can’t be recycled with regular plastics, but they can be recycled. If you don’t plan to keep your heatsheet as a souvenir, please look for special collection bins at Nollen Plaza; volunteers will help you find them. AFM Inc., the manufacturer of Heatsheets, hopes that by next year all races will have a similar recycling process in place. Thanks for helping with this effort!

Bibs/Safety Pins 
IMT Des Moines Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Marathon Relay Challenge and Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race athletes will receive a Tyvek bib with their race number on it.  It's used during the race to identify you on the course.  If your not going to hang onto yours as a keepsake after the race, consider tossing it in the recycling bin.

Keep your safety pins instead of throwing them away after the race.  You can use them again at future races to put on your bib and won't have to use new ones.  This is a direct way to reduce an event's carbon footprint, while making you an eco-runner at the same time.

Shoes and Clothing
Your used running shoes and clothing can help people right here in Des Moines through the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, a nonprofit organization that collects and distributes discarded clothing on race day along the course to people in need. Look for collection bins at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo and at Nollen Plaza on race day.

Ride Share
Interested in ridesharing to the IMT Des Moines Marathon? Sign up here for an account and become members of a growing and dynamic community. It is free to join and PickupPals can track the number of rides they have given or taken, the number of km they have traveled via ride sharing and we can as an IMT Des Moines Marathon group keep track of the amount of emissions we have reduced as a result!  You’ll save yourself a few bucks as you help save the planet. 
  
 

Contact Us if you have ideas or input for IMT Des Moines Marathon Green Initiatives!

---

Service Providers

The IMT Des Moines Marathon is committed to leading the industry in Green initiatives designed to reduce the carbon footprint that long distance running events can have on a community.  As an organization we strive to partner with national product and service providers within our industry who share the same principles and practices.  

On a local level, the IMT Des Moines Marathon is proud to work with organizations committed to protecting our environment.  Together our efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle, not just on race day but through out the year, can ensure that Des Moines will continue to be a great place to work and play for ourselves and our children!

Artistic Waste Services, Inc.
Artistic Waste Services is Iowa’s largest independent environmental company. Providing a full line of recycling and waste services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in central Iowa. Three out of five people choose Artistic to handle their waste and recycling needs.

Artistic Waste Services is proud to be the official waste sponsor for the IMT Des Moines Marathon.

Metro Waste Authority
As a regional government agency, MWA has served 16 Central Iowa communities and Polk County for nearly 40 years with environmental programs and services that are innovative, cost effective, award winning and technologically advanced.  With annual operating expenses of approximately $18 million, no tax dollars are used to finance any of its facilities or programs.

The Metro Waste Authority agency manages the Metro Park East Landfill, the Metro Compost Center, the Metro Recycling Center, the Metro Transfer Station, the Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste; MWA also coordinates recycling programs for its member communities.

Metro Waste Authority - Event Recycling Guide

Keep Iowa Beautiful
Keep Iowa Beautiful was founded in 2000 and is affiliated with the nationally acclaimed Keep America Beautiful. KAB has been working for half a century to improve the beauty of our nation.

Keep Iowa Beautiful works to assist communities and organizations in cleanup and beautification projects.  Conduct research studies that will help us to understand the reasons some people litter and show a lack of respect for land and property.  Provide anti-littering and beautification education programs.  Increase public awareness of the costs of littering and encourage regional groups and communities to become Keep Iowa Beautiful affiliates/partners.