EUGENE—November 20, 2018—The movement towards greater social and environmental responsibility in sport took another international step forward this week, as the Council for Responsible Sport (Council) announced that the 2018 Telcel México City Marathon (known in Spanish as the Telcel CdMx Maratón) has achieved Evergreen level certification. This is the highest level possible in the certification framework by the Council and this is the first event in México to ever achieve this level of distinction. The accolade comes in the same year the city has celebrated the 50th anniversary of hosting the 1968 Olympic Games.
“We are very proud that the Mexico City Marathon can be considered an example of a responsible race, as we produce the event according to the policies of the Mexico City government. This recognition strengthens us in the struggle for our shared environment”
“We are very proud that the Mexico City Marathon can be considered an example of a responsible race, as we produce the event according to the policies of the Mexico City government. This recognition strengthens us in the struggle for our shared environment,” said Horacio de la Vega Flores, president of the marathon organizing committee in a written statement.
2018 TELCEL CdMx Marathon, August 26, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo Credit: Getty Images para INDEPORTE
More than 38,000 athletes crossed the finish line of the event held August 26, 2018 in México’s capital city organized by the municipality of México City, with leadership by the Institute of Sport, 'Indeporte.' That day, organizers showed on-site third-party evaluators they had effectively implemented 55 of the best practice standards for social and environmental responsibility set forth by the Council, spanning five categories: planning & communication, procurement, resource management, access and equity and community legacy. The marathon had earned Gold level certification in 2014 and Silver level in 2016.
Waste Management—Organizers enacted a comprehensive waste management program that collected organics for composting and plastics, paper and glass to recycle. The result was the diversion of more than 8,200 pounds of materials from being sent to landfill for an overall rate of 80 percent diversion of waste. That rate is similar to recent year’s reported numbers, indicating that the race has achieved maintenance status of a robust waste diversion program. Electronics were collected separately for recycling by title sponsor TELCEL.
Addressing climate changing carbon pollution—Organizers sent a post-event survey to participants and received enough responses to create a representative sample. The survey showed that more than 50 percent of participants used public transit to travel to the event, preventing higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions per capita as compared with personal vehicles. The municipal department of the environment donated and planted 100 trees on behalf of the marathon to offset carbon emissions from its activities. Electric and hybrid vehicles served as lead vehicles on the race course.
Youth participation—3,500 youth and parents participated in two kids races and a family race that were intended to inspire and educate kids about the benefits of an active lifestyle. These events cost less than $5 USD so that the price of entry would be accessible to most.
Community awareness—A social media campaign featured tips for how runners could reduce the environmental impacts of their training and help achieve a more sustainable marathon. Additionally, the CdMx marathon organizers supported the delivery of an awareness-and-funds-raising ‘Run for the Oceans’ in June, sponsored by Adidas and Parley for the Oceans to bring attention to the environmental challenges of plastic waste pollution in the world’s oceans, that was attended by several hundred CdMx marathoners.
The event published a sustainability report (in Spanish) that can be viewed here. In 2018, it also earned recognition as an IAAF Gold Label race by the International Association of Athletics Federation, a distinction just 36 marathons worldwide have achieved.
Administrators receive the Evergreen level Certificate from the Council for Responsible Sport at a press conference in Mexico City on November 6, 2018.
“The Council was impressed at the collaborative efforts of the municipal government to build on foundational work done in years past and achieve a sophisticated social and environmental program at the 2018 event. People in México City are proud of their marathon, and they have great reason to be.” said Shelley Villalobos, managing director of the Council for Responsible Sport.
To date, over 160 events have been certified by the Council—with 18 of those taking place outside of the United States. A complete list of certified events can be seen on the Council for Responsible Sport website.
Waste Management—Organizers enacted a comprehensive waste management program that collected organics for composting and plastics, paper and glass to recycle. The result was the diversion of more than 8,200 pounds of materials from being sent to landfill for an overall rate of 80 percent diversion of waste. That rate is similar to recent year’s reported numbers, indicating that the race has achieved maintenance status of a robust waste diversion program. Electronics were collected separately for recycling by title sponsor TELCEL.
Addressing climate changing carbon pollution—Organizers sent a post-event survey to participants and received enough responses to create a representative sample. The survey showed that more than 50 percent of participants used public transit to travel to the event, preventing higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions per capita as compared with personal vehicles. The municipal department of the environment donated and planted 100 trees on behalf of the marathon to offset carbon emissions from its activities. Electric and hybrid vehicles served as lead vehicles on the race course.
Youth participation—3,500 youth and parents participated in two kids races and a family race that were intended to inspire and educate kids about the benefits of an active lifestyle. These events cost less than $5 USD so that the price of entry would be accessible to most.
Community awareness—A social media campaign featured tips for how runners could reduce the environmental impacts of their training and help achieve a more sustainable marathon. Additionally, the CdMx marathon organizers supported the delivery of an awareness-and-funds-raising ‘Run for the Oceans’ in June, sponsored by Adidas and Parley for the Oceans to bring attention to the environmental challenges of plastic waste pollution in the world’s oceans, that was attended by several hundred CdMx marathoners.
The event published a sustainability report (in Spanish) that can be viewed here.
“The Council was impressed at the collaborative efforts of the municipal government to build on foundational work done in years past and achieve a sophisticated social and environmental program at the 2018 event. People in México City are proud of their marathon, and they have great reason to be.” said Shelley Villalobos, managing director of the Council for Responsible Sport.
To date, over 160 events have been certified by the Council—with 18 of those taking place outside of the United States. A complete list of certified events can be viewed here. More information about the Mexico City Marathon can be found at maratoncdmx.com