Sustainable Certification

As triathletes at UCSD we spend a lot of time swimming, cycling, and running outside, and we're lucky to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather, terrain, and beaches of San Diego. Unfortunately, we're aware that global warming, resource exploitation, and short-term thinking are endangering our lifestyle and our communities. We're also aware that most organized sporting events are not planned with long-term impacts in mind.

We don't accept this! The UCSD Triathlon Team has decided to confront global environmental problems by acting locally.

The 2009 Grove Run was the most sustainable race ever documented. It was also the first certified sustainable race in Southern California and the first sustainable race hosted by a collegiate triathlon team.

ReSport will evaluate us against 41 criteria. We are seeking credit in the following areas:

1. Recycling of cardboard, glass, plastic water bottles, aluminum cans, metal, and paper.
2. Composting food waste.
3. Creating less than 0.01 pound of landfill waste per participant.
4. Using renewable energy sources to power the event.
5. Creating a race site accessible by public or mass transportation and facilitating carpooling.
6. Sourcing all food within 250 miles.
7. Offsetting participant travel by high quality carbon credits.
8. Implementing at least one policy to reduce water consumption.
9. No paper-based registration.
10. Not offering a race t-shirt.
11. Race finisher award uses local, sustainable materials, and athletes can choose to opt-out from the award.
12. All food service products (plates, cups, utensils) are compostable.
13. Increasing public awareness in water resource management.
14. Recommending alternative lodging for overnight participants.
15. Creating a mechanism for participants to provide feedback on sustainability efforts.
16. Creating a Greenest Athlete competition.
17. Creating a Gear Exchange.

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