New York Road Runners Becomes First Running Organization Certified by the Council for Responsible Sport’s Standard for Organizations

Nonprofit New York Road Runners Becomes First Running Organization Certified by the Council for Responsible Sport’s Standard for Organizations

New York Road Runners’ year-round sustainability efforts recognized for achievements toward Net Zero by 2040 goal

NYRR RUNCENTER to host Climate Week NYC Panel, Tuesday, September 24

New York, September 23, 2024 – Nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced today it has become the first running organization certified by the Council for Responsible Sport’s Standard for Organizations for its year-round sustainability efforts as it aims to achieve Net Zero by 2040. Following a comprehensive assessment of its social and environmental initiatives and impact, the world’s leading sustainability certification program dedicated to sporting events and organizations acknowledged New York Road Runners with its gold-level certification as Climate Week NYC kicks off.

“We are consistently working to embed sustainability into all that we do as a nonprofit and are thrilled to receive the gold-level certification for our efforts by the Council for Responsible Sport,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO, New York Road Runners. “Becoming the first running organization to be certified for its year-round sustainability initiatives showcases that New York Road Runners is leading in the space as we set the pace for the running industry.”

New York Road Runners achieved the gold-level certification for its impact and leadership in the sustainability space, including its formal sustainability goals and targets that are aligned with the UNFCCC Sports for Climate initiative, its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas impacts through purchasing and sourcing changes for race shirts, medals and cups, and its diversity, equity, and social responsibility efforts that cater to underserved communities and populations. In addition to being the first running organization, New York Road Runners is the second sporting organization to receive an organizational level certification following the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Climate Week NYC – The Race for Sustainability in Sports. 

New York Road Runners will host The Race for Sustainability in Sports panel at the NYRR RUNCENTER on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. during climate week to highlight the intersectionality of sport and sustainability. The panel will be moderated by Tina Muir, climate activist, author, and former elite marathon runner, and will feature: Fiona Morgan, SailGP's Chief Purpose Officer; Annie Horn, Director, Social Responsibility & Sustainability at the NBA; and Jessica R. Murfree, PhD, sport ecologist, researcher, and professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

NYRR’s Year-Round Sustainability Efforts

New York Road Runners aim to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running, which includes doing its part to ensure future generations have access to clean air, green spaces, and a healthy world to run in. For nearly a decade New York Road Runners has centered sustainability initiatives, and in 2021 set a goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040. 

Throughout the year, the nonprofit works with vendors and city agency partners to be eco-friendly and divert waste, aiming to leave New York City’s streets and parks cleaner than it found them. New York Road Runners encourages all runners to practice sustainable behaviors year-round at its races, such as bringing their own clear reusable bags, taking public transportation when possible, utilizing reusable water bottles, air drying their clothing, donating their old shoes, and disposing of gel wrappers following their runs.  

In November, to highlight NYRR’s efforts, 250 runners will participate in the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon on behalf of the first-ever NYRR Team for Climate run to showcase their commitment to protecting our environment. NYRR Team for Climate is a new entry method for NYRR’s three marquee races—the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half—in which runners will raise funds to help offset NYRR’s carbon emissions, including runner travel to the three races. New York Road Runners is partnering with Anew, a global climate solutions leader, to use funds raised to purchase carbon credits for two improved forest management projects.

The Council for Responsible Sport

The Council for Responsible Sport envisions a world in which responsibly produced sports events are the standard. Its mission is to provide objective, independent verification of event organizers’ social and environmental efforts to impact their communities positively. Since 2007, the Council has developed and continually updated the Event Certification standards adopted by more than 200 events globally. In 2021, the Council expanded its reach by introducing the Responsible Sport Standard for Organizations. 

Partnering with TCS, one of the world’s largest digital solutions integrators, the Council digitized its certification process recently by developing the ReScore App to make reporting easier and more efficient than ever. New York Road Runners acted as a beta tester for the TCS ReScore App. 

Organizations must demonstrate and evidence their actions, events, and properties are in alignment with the Responsible Sport Standards and certification level thresholds reached by earning points at the criteria level. The framework of the certification includes five pillars: planning and communications, procurement, resource management, access and equity, and community legacy. 

About New York Road Runners (NYRR) 

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier

community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.  

Bank of America Chicago 13.1 Receives Evergreen Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport

CHICAGO – The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 and Council for Responsible Sport announced today the event earned Evergreen Certification, a recognition reserved for sporting events that demonstrate the highest possible commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The Chicago 13.1 debuted in 2022 with the vision to reimagine what running can be in Chicago, offering a weekend of health-and wellness-based activities for participants and community members on Chicago’s West Side.

“The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is a stellar example of responsible sport,” said Aileen McManamon, lead certifier for the Council for Responsible Sport. “The Reimagine the Run model of bringing the half marathon to a vibrant but overlooked community in the city is definitely a ‘best practice’ case study.”

“Our team is humbled to receive Evergreen Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport,” said Carey Pinkowski, executive race director of the Bank of America Chicago 13.1. “The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 started out as an idea and was brought to life with the support of community members and businesses on Chicago’s West Side. We share and celebrate this accomplishment with everyone who played a role in making this event possible.”

The goal to reimagine running in Chicago has been a critical factor in the development and production of the Bank of America Chicago 13.1. To stay true to this vision, event organizers worked with community members, non-profit organizations and business on Chicago’s West Side to co-create an event experience that is meaningful, beneficial and representative of the West Side. The result is a world-class half marathon that starts and finishes in Garfield Park, the oldest park on the West Side, with a 13.1-mile course traveling through Humboldt and Douglass Parks while traversing the neighborhoods that line the boulevards connecting all three parks. Held in conjunction with the half marathon is a free Race Day Festival for participants and community members featuring a mix of entertainment, health and wellness activities and community activations.

Other examples of the event’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility include:

• Support of local businesses: Runners and spectators are encouraged to support the local economy race weekend by visiting and shopping at local businesses. In addition to this, the event prioritized working with West Side businesses, organizations and artists that supported the production of the event and served as vendors and performers during the race weekend festivals.

• Composting organic waste: Diverting waste from the landfill is a priority of the event, with compostable materials like food scraps and hydration cups collected by volunteers and picked up by The Urban Canopy, a local compost service. The finished compost was donated to Kuumba Tre-Ahm Community Garden in Garfield Park, where it nourishes the garden beds as a nutrient rich soil amendment. The community garden, named after the sixth principle of Kwanzaa and the owner’s two grandsons, is part of the Garfield Park Garden Network, a resident-led effort to enhance local green spaces and engage more community members in the local food system.

• Charity Program: Participants raised more than $150,000 on behalf of nine charity partners that are creating a positive impact on Chicago’s West Side and throughout the city. Each non-profit partner has a focus on empowering youth, advancing health equity and supporting community development.

• Offset race weekend travel: In 2023, the Bank of America 13.1 partnered with Native to provide participants with a way to offset emissions from travel to the event. Native met exhaustive environmental standards to be recognized as a certified B Corporation. All proceeds supported Native’s “From Waste to Fuel: Improving Agriculture and Livelihoods in Mexico” project.

• Incorporating community input and feedback: Event organizers hosted community engagement meetings leading up to race weekend to hear feedback and ideas directly from West Side residents. These conversations inspired the launch of the 1.31-mile Wellness Walk and youth events during race weekend to offer activities for a wider range of ages and abilities.

The Bank of America Chicago 13.1 is part of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series, kicking off with the Shamrock Shuffle and concluding with the Chicago Marathon. The commitment to environmental and social responsibility is a key aspect of each event, with each race having received recognition from the Council for Responsible Sport. To learn more about each event’s commitment visit: shamrockshuffle.com, chicago13point1.com and chicagomarathon.com.

Marine Corps Marathon Earns Gold Certification for Social and Environmental Initiatives

Council for Responsible Sport recognizes the MCM for enacting best practice standards at 2019 event

Portland, OR—April 15, 2020—The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) has achieved Gold level certification by the Council for Responsible Sport (Council) for being socially and environmentally responsible as a world-class running event. The MCM has been recognized for enacting 48 specific best practices during the 44th edition of the event, held on Oct. 27, 2019. The MCM is the second largest U.S. marathon behind the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to earn certification as an environmentally-conscious sporting event, hosting over 18,355 finishers in 2019.

 The MCM earned credit for both meeting and exceeding standards in all five categories of the Council’s certification framework, including; (1) effective planning and communications; (2) aligning procurement of products and services with partners that account for and mitigate their environmental impacts; (3) Resource Management; (4) efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion for under-represented community groups; and (5) for ongoing efforts toward building a positive legacy in the broader community.

“The Marine Corps Marathon was an early adopter of the Council for Responsible Sport standards and has long been committed to continual improvement. This new gold level certification is an indication of the competence and thoughtfulness the organizers pour into this event year after year to make it the unique experience it is.” said Shelley Villalobos, managing director of the Council.

This is the MCM’s second gold certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. The MCM was awarded Silver level certification in 2009 and again in 2011, and first earned gold in 2014.

Prior to the 44th MCM, the organization initiated a robust plan to reduce the carbon footprint of travel and operations, minimize waste and energy consumption while also sharing messages with MCM participants to be environmentally aware in the lead up to the event. 

53 short tons of trash was collected during the MCM weekend, of which over half (54.4 percent) was diverted from the landfill through the enaction of a detailed waste diversion strategy. 2,500 pounds of banana and orange peels were collected from runners for composting, along with compostable cups used at water stations for the first time, while nine tons of plastic jugs and cardboard boxes were recycled.

Other efforts included the recycling of leftover medals and ribbons, the donation of 5,000 pounds of leftover unserved food to the Capital Food Bank, and 4,000 pounds of clothing deserted at the start line donated to the Clothing Recycling Company.

MCM partnered with the Washington Metro Transit Authority to provide runners an early opening to arrive on time to the start line and encouraged all participants and spectators to take advantage of the free shuttles to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the MCM headquarters and warehouse have been utilizing emissions-free electricity since installing solar panels on the roof in 2008.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Council of Responsible Sport as a Gold-level sustainable event for the second time,” stated Angela Anderson, Deputy Director of the Marine Corps Marathon Organization. “The MCM Organization and our entire running community, including sponsors and partners, remain committed to ensuring we are continually improving our sustainability efforts and encouraging practicing green behaviors at all of our events.”

About the Council for Responsible Sport

The Council’s vision is a world where responsibly produced sports events are the norm and its mission is to provide objective, independent verification of the socially and environmentally responsible work event organizers are doing and to actively support event organizers who strive to make a difference in their communities. The current version of the Council’s Certification standards (v.4.2) was developed by an outside working group of both sustainability and sport industry experts, reviewed by a wide range of stakeholders throughout 2013 and implemented in January 2014.

About the Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), the third largest marathon in the United States and eighth largest in the world is voted “Best Marathon in the Mid Atlantic” and “Best Marathon for Spectators.” The MCM honors the dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism of its participants. Also known as “The People’s Marathon,” runners from all walks of life participate in the MCM, the largest marathon not to offer prize money. The 40th MCM will be held on October 25, 2015 in Arlington, VA. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied. www.marinemarathon.com #RunWithTheMarines

Mexico's first endurance race through a wind farm promotes sustainability, seeks Responsible Sport certification

The first-ever ‘Carrera del Viento’, a 5K/10K/21K distance running event, will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Mezquite Wind Park (Parque Eólico el Mezquite) in Mina, Nuevo León, México. Organizers have declared their commitment to the principles and practices of the version 4.2 Responsible Sport Standards, and are seeking certification of their efforts from the Council for Responsible Sport.

The course will be set in a functioning ‘wind park’ of enormous turbines generating greenhouse gas emissions-free electricity near Mina, in the Nuevo Leon State of Mexico, becoming what organizers believe to be the first endurance event hosted in a wind energy park in Mexico. Proceeds from the event will benefit Enseña por México, a not-for-profit organization working towards ensuring that every child in Mexico receives a high-quality education.

“There is no other race like this. It’s more than a race. It’s movement for sustainability, and the promotion of education/No hay otro evento parecido. Es mas que una carrera. Es un movimiento para la sostentabilidad y la promueva de educación.”

-Daniel Almanza, Mexican Ultra-Marathoner

Rutas y Raices, one of Mexico’s premier sustainable project designers and developers, is one of the key organizing partners for this first-edition event. “The intention is to provide a direct experience with regenerative technologies. It’s about a lived experience of sustainability in sport—from running in a shirt made of recycled fibers, to receiving a backpack made from reclaimed sails, to drinking water made onsite by a machine that condenses air, to the locally made food in the recuperation zone, and other surprises,” said Alexander Winer, the race’s director. He added, “We want to share the magic of creating clean energy and we’re placing all of the proceeds from the event towards eradicating educational inequality in Mexico by supporting Teach 4 All Mexico (Enseña por México).”

The Council for Responsible Sport certification requires an on-site evaluation by a third-party to verify claims and activities. DoDo Ambiental, an environmental consulting firm based in Mexico City, will perform the verification of the Carrera del Viento and report findings directly to the Council. Organizers will also report on key outcomes in all five pillars of Responsible Sport: planning & communications, procurement, resource management, access and equity, and community legacy.

The Council salutes the effort of the Wind Race to voluntarily hold itself and delivery partners to the highest standards of responsibility in sport.