Walkway Marathon Earns Environmental Certification,
Becomes First “Green” Race Ever in New York
Dutchess County Legislature honors Walkway Marathon Green Team
Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and the Dutchess County Legislature congratulate members of the inaugural Walkway Marathon’s Green Team for helping the June 13 race become certified as New York State’s first-ever “green” marathon.
Dutchess County Government was a partner in the Walkway Marathon, which attracted 2,500 runners from 31 states and six countries and thousands more spectators to the region.
“The Walkway Marathon was a tremendous success in so many ways,” said County Executive Molinaro, who ran in the event’s half-marathon race. “Not only did it bring thousands of visitors to Dutchess County to enjoy our environment, it allowed us to give back to that environment by recycling, reusing and cutting waste in several ways. Lindsay Carille, our Deputy Commissioner for Dutchess County’s Division of Solid Waste Management, was a great asset to the Walkway Green Team, which set out to make this first-of-its-kind event as environmentally friendly as possible. Each member of Green Team played a vital role in helping the Walkway Marathon exceed every expectation, and I congratulate them all for setting an example for the rest of the state.”
To achieve the “green” certification, Athletes for a Fit Planet, a consulting company providing guidance for environmentally responsible athletic events, required Walkway Marathon officials to adhere to a set of eco-friendly practices which also align with Dutchess County’s goals to reduce waste, increase recycling and reuse, and to convert waste to energy. The Walkway Marathon met all required “green” practices.
Waste and carbon emission was reduced by utilizing 100% online registration, virtual race bags, hybrid bus and public transportation, bikes used for leads, pace setting, and sweeps and use of local food. Additionally, materials were reused and/or recycled through the use of recycled materials, sneaker recycling and the use of clear containers for recycling compost and trash.
At the Dutchess County Legislature’s July 13th meeting, Legislator James Miccio, chairman of the Environment Committee, presented members of the Walkway Marathon Green Team with commendations, thanking them for their service and recognizing their accomplishments.
“The Walkway Marathon Green Team was an ideal mixture of public and private entities uniting with a common goal: to protect and preserve Dutchess County’s environment while hosting this one-of-a-kind event. Their success is a tribute to that partnership and the team members’ hard work, and Dutchess County thanks them for their efforts,” Legislator Miccio said.
Legislature Chairman Rob Rolison said, “The first-ever Walkway Marathon was not only a participatory and economic success for Poughkeepsie and our region, it represented the beginning of large-scale, eco-friendly public events that reduce waste while offering family-friendly fun. I congratulate our Green Team members on all their hard work to make the Walkway Marathon a victory for our environment, too.”
