Newport Spirit Run's Environmental Sustainability Goals
At Newport Spirit Run, we believe a great racing event and a healthy planet go hand in hand. Set against the beautiful and sensitive habitat of Upper Newport Bay (the Bay), our event is a celebration of the outdoors — so we work hard to protect it. From the start line to the finish, we’ve built “green” measures into every part of the course to reduce waste, deter single-use plastic, guard the Bay’s protected spaces and wildlife, and leave our coastline cleaner than we found it.
Protecting Upper Newport Bay
Supporting the Newport Bay Conservancy
About Upper Newport Bay
A unique, undeveloped wetlands on the California coast.
In the 1960s, planning was underway to turn the Upper Bay into a large marina with private docks and waterfront homes. Concerned citizens waged a legal battle to oppose these plans and to retain the area in its relatively natural state while maintaining public access to these spaces. The Friends of Newport Bay (now Newport Bay Conservancy) conducted tours to educate the public about the area’s ecological importance and to enlist support for the litigation to preserve and protect it.
Thankfully, these efforts succeeded and, in 1975, the area became an Ecological Reserve managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Big Canyon Park, owned in part by the City of Newport Beach, was added in 1982 and Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, managed by Orange County Parks, was added in the 1990s. Collectively these parcels are now known as Upper Newport Bay (the Bay).
The Bay is one of the few remaining, undeveloped wetlands on the California coast. It is recognized as a globally significant hotspot of biodiversity with precious open water, mudflat, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, riparian, and upland habitat.
Protecting the Bay
Supporting the Newport Bay Conservancy
Our event is lucky to call the Bay home — one of Southern California’s largest remaining coastal wetlands and a haven for native birds, fish, wildlife and plant life. This estuary is cared for by the Newport Bay Conservancy (NBC), a 501(c)(3) non profit with a small staff of scientists and other professionals and a large community of volunteers dedicated to protecting and preserving the Bay. Their efforts include:
- restoring native habitat;
- monitoring water quality;
- removing invasive plants and litter;
- researching to build knowledge of the Bay’s rich biosphere;
- managing science based techniques to help sustain the 154 mile watershed of central Orange County that drains to the ocean; and
- educating thousands of visitors each year about this fragile ecosystem.
- striving to sustain an amazing diversity of marine, plant, and animal life in its stewardship of the Bay.
We’re proud and privileged to run in the Bay, and we ask every participant to help us keep the Bay clean, wild, and thriving for the plants, wildlife and community that depend on it.
Less Waste, Every Step of the Way
We’re cutting single-use waste across the entire course and expo — because your finish-line photo should be the only thing you leave behind.
Our Green Measures on Race Weekend
We’ve rethought how race day operates so that fun, hydration, and community never come at the planet’s expense. We strongly encourage our participants to drink water often and to use fueling options so that they can achieve their best performances. Our new measures are intended to suggest, not demand, approaches to remain properly hydrated and fueled in a way that least impacts the environment. Here are the biggest changes you’ll see this year along with our suggestions:
Cup-less water stations
Newport Spirit Run is providing each Half Marathon and 5k registrant with a reusable, collapsable, environmentally responsible cup to carry when racing and in the expo. Say goodbye to water poured from giant, single-use water bottles and mountains of paper cups at water stations. Instead, when participants approach Spirit Run’s water stations, volunteers will pour water from aluminum pitchers into their Spirit Run reusable cups. We suggest that mile participants and spectators bring their favorite reusable bottles or hydration packs and fill up as they go from Newport Spirit Run’s hydration stations on the course and in the expo. It’s a simple switch that keeps thousands of single-use cups off our trails, out of our landfills, and most importantly, out of the environment.
No plastic at water stations or the expo
We’ve eliminated single-use plastic from our water stations and expo areas. Vendors and volunteers will use compostable, reusable, or plastic-free alternatives, so they can hydrate, refuel, and shop knowing they’re not adding to the waste stream. Less plastic on land means less plastic in the Bay.
Encouraging “Pack in/pack out” Fueling
We strongly encourage participants to drink water often and to use fueling options so that they can achieve their best performances. Our fueling tips are suggestions, not demands, that allow participants to remain properly fueled in a way that least impacts the environment. We discourage gels and other fueling options wrapped in plastic or foil as wrappers left on the course, or worse yet in protected areas nearby, are not good for the environment. Also, gels are very sticky making them difficult to cleanup. Instead, we encourage fueling options in reusable pouches and bulk fueling systems such as chews, waffles, and other “pack-in/pack-out” nutrition. Newport Spirit Run is currently seeking an in-kind donation of a chew or waffle to distribute to participants at water stations.
No motorized vehicles on the course
Rather than a pace car or motorcycle, a team of cyclists will lead runners along the course.
Extraordinary cleanup measures
In addition to typical event cleanup, Newport Spirit Run has hired specialized cleanup crews with marathon experience to provide event cleaning and recycling services in this sensitive habitat.
Run, Jog & Walk Green
Want to make your race day even greener? A few easy ways to help:
- Keep any fueling packets and other personal waste until reaching the next designated trash or recycling station.
- Stay on designated race routes.
- Respect wildlife and sensitive habitat areas.
- Bring a refillable water bottle or hydration pack. Half Marathon and 5k registrants may use their Newport Mesa Spirit Run reusable, collapsable cup that is included with their entry fee!
- Carpool, bike, or walk to the start line when you can.
- Pack a reusable bag for your race gear and expo finds.
- Use the clearly marked recycling and compost bins on site.
- Take everything home with you — leave only footprints.
Have an idea or a question about our sustainability efforts?
Email dianedaruty@sbcglobal.net — we’d love to hear from you.