Sustainability at the Sotheby's Realty Hawke's Bay Marathon

The IRONMAN Group Oceania, organisers of the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Hawke’s Bay Marathon, is committed to a robust sustainability plan.

To best protect the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region and environment, The IRONMAN Group Oceania is implementing the following initiatives this year.

• Sustainable waste management and cleaning on race weekend, in partnership with Closed Loop.
• All materials collected at the event hand sorted to ensure they get to their correct destination to be either recycled, upcycled or composted.  
• All organic waste (including approx. 7000 banana skins) composted at BioRich Awatoto.  
• All water and electrolyte cups are a mix of RPET recyclable (meaning they can be recycled again and again), PE recyclable and PLA Biodegradable.  
• Flyer-free reusable race bags (these make great gym gear bags).  
• Free water refill stations around the finish venue so athletes can top water bottles.  
• Suppliers requested not to provide athlete material (e.g. medals and bags) individually wrapped in plastic. 
• All food vendors requested to supply their treats in ecoware packaging.  
• The free Apple Press juice athletes can collect at the finish line is in a recyclable bottle, and a special bin is available next to their stall for these.  
• 95% of plastic cable ties to secure signage replaced with re-usable bungee cords.  
• Unclaimed clothing and shoes left behind donated to local charity. 
• Where possible, partnering with local suppliers and contractors to reduce carbon emissions. 

How Hawke’s Bay Marathon athletes can help.

• Pack a keep-cup and water bottle in their drop bag.  
• Take care not to drop any litter (like gel wrappers) on the course. These can be disposed of at the Aid Station bins.  
• At the finish venue, take care to put rubbish in the correct bin. These will be clearly signed. 
• Take advantage of race day transport options and leave your car at home.  

As is the case on all IRONMAN managed events, the clean-up of the entire 42.2km, 21.1km and 10km courses and venues used during the Hawke’s Bay Marathon will begin on Saturday and continue into the night and throughout Sunday, with final sweeps taking place on Sunday evening.

The Race Director will lead the course sweep to ensure that any impact or footprint of the race is removed. This is normal practice at all IRONMAN events, with the team working closely with all stakeholders, participants and contractors to remove any impact the event makes on the environment.