By Julia Nghishoongele
There is something I have started noticing more and more as a marathon runner, and honestly, it has made me look at marathons a little differently. The running route is often covered in litter thrown down by runners.
Before a marathon even begins, organisers put a lot of thought into keeping the route manageable and clean. Water points are strategically placed along the route, with plastic bags provided for used cups and other waste. Volunteers stand along the route, often for hours, motivating and guiding runners, while some also carry plastic bags to collect waste and prevent littering.
To the organisers and volunteers who put in this effort: thank you!
But there is another part of this equation that makes all this effort feel unbalanced, and it is something we, as runners, need to talk about. US!
I have noticed runners throwing cups, bottles and sweet/chocolate wrappers along the route, sometimes even when the next water point is not far away. I’ll admit I might not be entirely innocent either; I occasionally toss banana or orange peels, though only into open, grassy areas where they can decompose, never in front of someone’s home or on the road.
I know a marathon is a true test of endurance; it is not a light workout. When you are out there, your mind is entirely consumed by your pace, your breathing, your distance, your sore legs and the bigger picture, the finish line. When you are exhausted and trying to reach that finish line, environmental responsibility might not be the first thing on your mind.
But should it disappear completely? I don’t think so!
We know better, but do we act better?
One of the interesting things about littering is that most people already know it is wrong. We are quick to say, “teach children better at home,” but in this case, I am talking about grown adults who should know better.
I sometimes find myself wanting to stop running and pick up the litter myself. The volunteers are primarily there to motivate and guide runners, provide water and nutrition, and assist anyone who needs immediate medical attention. Litter should be the least of their worries.
Yes, the volunteers are there to help keep the event running smoothly, but their willingness to clean up should not become a reason for runners to stop taking responsibility for their own waste.
I believe anyone can carry their waste to the next water point/municipal dustbin.
A marathon is also a test of discipline
We spend months training for these races. We wake up early, run when we don’t feel like it, monitor our distance, and obsess over our pace. We learn exactly how to fuel our bodies and how to push through the darkest, most difficult times. We build this deep discipline because we want to become better runners. Environmental responsibility should be another part of that discipline. If I can train myself to maintain a strict pace for 10, 21 or 42 kilometres, then surely I can also train myself to hold onto a cup until I reach the next water point. It is a minor effort, but true environmental responsibility is built on small actions repeated consistently.
The organisers cannot do it alone
I think it is important to acknowledge that marathon organisers do their part. They provide water points, waste bags and volunteers to help keep the route clean and the race running smoothly. The responsibility, however, does not stop with the organisers. They can provide the systems, and volunteers can help manage the waste, but the decision to dispose of that cup properly starts with the runner.
What can we do differently?
I do not want this to simply be a criticism of other runners. If I am going to talk about environmental responsibility, I also need to ask myself what I can do differently.
For my next marathon, I am considering putting a simple message on my running shirt:
I RUN. I DON’T LITTER.
It is a small idea, but perhaps that is the point. Maybe someone sees it while running past. Maybe another runner thinks twice before dropping their cup. Maybe it starts a conversation at the starting line. Maybe it encourages another runner to do something similar. I would rather be part of creating that conversation than simply complaining about the problem.
We need to leave something better behind. Running is about movement. It is about pushing yourself forward, overcoming challenges and eventually reaching a goal. But we should also think about what we leave behind while we are moving forward. The memories of a marathon should not include cups and bottles scattered along the road. The volunteers should not have to spend hours picking up waste that could have been properly disposed of. Our environmental responsibility should not disappear just because we are chasing a personal best.
Maybe the next time we participate in a marathon, we can challenge ourselves to compete not only against the clock, but also against our own habits. Push yourself. Pick up after yourself. And when you cross that finish line, make sure the only thing you have left behind is your footprint.
As a member of the Namibian Youth Chamber of Environment, I also want to offer a practical step forward. If any marathon organiser reading this needs volunteers focused specifically on keeping the route clean, please reach out to us. We are willing to help. I hope this blog reaches even one runner who litters and makes them think twice next time.
Email: youth@n-c-e.org
