San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half + 5K Pledges to Go Green

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – It makes perfect sense that one of the most beautiful places (and the "happiest") in America take steps to make its inaugural San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half + 5K races on Earth Day 2012 (Sunday, April 22) "green."

Runners and walkers who participate will enjoy a more eco-friendly race that, among other things, includes a commitment to 80% online registration of participants, using recycled or recyclable materials (tech t-shirts, bibs, paper), recycling at the SLO Life Expo (papers, plastics and shoes), using electric and hybrid vehicles on the race course and conducting education sessions for spectators and athletes on green initiatives at the SLO Life Expo.

As part of its commitment to greater environmental stewardship, the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half has taken the "Pledge of Sustainability" for its Inaugural event. The pledge is administered by Athletes for a Fit Planet^TM, a leading environmental services company for athletic events.

The San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half is displaying the Pledge of Sustainability logo on its website and FitPlanet is listing the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half in its Green Events Calendar. The Calendar enables athletes to read all 14 eco-practices that the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half has pledged to do at this year's race.

"We thought it was completely appropriate that the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half take sustainability initiatives in its Inaugural year since our races will take place on Earth Day 2012," says Heather Hellman, Event Director. "We will be implementing processes within the organization of the race and at the event itself to make the smallest footprint possible. We also hope to educate our sponsors, participants and spectators on steps they can take to be green at our event. We believe making this pledges is important and it's a long-term commitment on our part since our race will fall on or near Earth Day annually."

"We are excited that the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half has publically committed to take specific steps to green this year's event," says Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer, Athletes for a Fit Planet. "And by listing the Pledge criteria in the Green Events Calendar, the participating athletes are assured that the San Luis Obispo Marathon + Half environmental commitment is sincere and real."

The San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K races take place on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2012. The Marathon and Half Marathon races will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is a Team In Training event.

The 5K race will benefit Special Olympics of San Luis Obispo. Race registration is now open online at www.Active.com.

For further information on the Marathon, Half Marathon + 5K, as well as The SLO Life Expo and San Luis Obispo, please visit www.SLOMarathon.com.

The San Luis Obispo Marathon, Half + 5K is a Get Off The Couch Potato Sports Production.