Green Initiative

The Houston Marathon Committee is going green! Check out what we're doing to reduce our environmental footprint:

• 100% paperless race registration
• Distribute 26,000 reusable goodie bags to all race participants 
• Utilize filtered hydrant water at all course water stations
• Do not use plastic water bottles at EXPO or on the race course
• Supply convenient recycling bins at EXPO and Post-race Party
• Donate 100+ pounds of unused food to the Houston Food Bank 
• Provide compost bins in Food Court areas; collected compost is used and studied by the University of Houston Botany department 
• Collect and donate left behind clothing to Star of Hope  
• Utilize fuel efficient vehicles for lead cars; Hybrids make up 60% of cars used on the race course
• Volunteer “Green Teams” regulate and promote our recycling efforts at EXPO and Post-race Party; University of Houston "Green Teams" are student volunteers who study sustainability
• Hand out marathon and half marathon Under Armour finisher shirts made from recycled plastic bottles
• Use recyclable Tyvek bibs for the marathon, half marathon and 5K; recycled bibs are used to make park benches (recycle bib containers are available at the finish line)
• Distribute 2,000 "Heroes" bibs made of wildflower seeds; to plant seeds, first soak bibs in water for 24 hours and plant the paper in the ground to grow wildflowers