On your marks: tips to be a more environmentally friendly runner
Manchester’s caught the running bug! More and more of us are picking up running and jogging, which is a brilliant (and free!) way to keep fit, improve our mental health, and spend more time outdoors.
And you can run in a way that's better for the planet too! Read on for some tips to reduce waste, avoid clutter, and make your running gear last longer.
Choose your shoes
You don’t need to buy loads of fancy gear to be a runner, and lots of running shoes are so good now that they’ll last you for ages without needing to be replaced.
When you’re choosing your first pair of trainers, your best bet is to go to your local running shop and try on a few pairs to see what works for you, do some research online, and maybe even look into having your running gait analysed to see which shoes might suit you better (which is a free service provided by some running shops).
TOP TIP: If you’re on the lookout for some new shoes, keep an eye out for models that came out a year or two earlier, as they’re usually just as good and heavily discounted in the sales!
Running shoes normally last between 500 – 600 kilometres (which is a lot of running!) but that doesn’t mean they’ve reached the end of their life completely. If they’re not bouncy enough to run in, many pairs will still be comfortable enough to walk around in instead. Or, if they’re fully ready to retire, they can be recycled through services like this one from Runners Need.
FUN FACT: lots of running shoe brands have started recycling old shoes to help make new ones, and they’ll usually advertise their more sustainable models which will contain a percentage of recycled materials too – so look out for signs of recycled materials, fabrics and foams when browsing.
On the run
Choosing a refillable bottle instead of a plastic one prevents excess waste plastic, and you can also buy bottles or soft flasks of all shapes and sizes that are designed to be taken out for long periods or stored in running vests or belts.
If you don’t fancy lugging around a big heavy bottle, you can find lots of spots to fill up along the way. Check out City to Sea’s handy Refill app, which shows you where all of the different refill stations are dotted all over Manchester. Why not see if there are any you could hit up along your running routes, and use this as a guide to explore new bits of the city?
Going for a run also gives us the opportunity to explore new or familiar green spaces such as local parks or canal and river pathways. Spending time in nature helps us feel less stressed, so choosing a green route to run on can be better for your mental health too!
TOP TIP: if you’re looking for some greener scenery on your runs, check out our guide on Manchester’s parks and how to reach them by clicking here.
At home
When you’re home from your runs, you might find that the washing starts to pile up pretty quickly! When starting out, you might want to use some older t-shirts or shorts to run in to save having to buy lots of new gear and make some of your older threads last longer. This will also save you from having to wash your running kit all the time, saving money and energy in the long run!
Ready, set, go!
Think you’re ready to put your speed to the test in a race? You’ll be pleased to hear that lots of race event organisers are trying to think more about what they can do to benefit the environment, and there are now lots of initiatives in place from start to finish. For example, lots of races will have clothes donation points at start lines so you can keep warm in an old jumper or hoody before you speed off. Some races will also allow you to bring your own bottle to be placed on the course beforehand, reducing the amount of plastic bottles they need to give out.
