22nd March 2010 10:07
'Runners need clean air for exercise and health and so it was clear that, as an organiser, we needed to become a leader in reducing pollution,' says race organiser Paul Zens.
'I was pleased to hear that European Athletics had launched the SSET and I am very excited about the initiatives we had in place in the first year of using the tool.'
For the seventh edition of the annual race print material was limited by eliminating flyers and using online publicity while all waste was managed by specialised recycling company Valorlux.
Participants were encouraged to use public transportation and the race took part in the climate protection program 'myclimate,' which promotes carbon neutrality via the offsetting of voluntary carbon production.
The SSET, which was launched by European Athletics and the Lausanne-based Academy of Sport Science and Technology in October 2009, is a framework, set of guidelines and growing information database that make it possible for sport events to easily plan, manage and benefit from activities that impact their physical and social environment.
Zens says that he plans to update the SSET with the experiences gained from this year's race. 'We hope to share what we learn for the benefit of race organisers who use the tool in the future.'
European Athletics General Secretary Christian Milz said, 'We welcome our new partner and appreciate the credibility they bring to the tool.
'It is great that the SSET toolkit fits a wide variety of events, ranging from our European Athletics Championships to local road races, with each organiser able to decide what level of effort to put into their initiatives.'
Foyer Nordstadsemi includes races of 1, 5, 10 and 21 kilometres. It takes place in Diekirch, Luxembourg, and is supported by local club Celtic.
Eight events are currently looking at ways to use the tool, including the 2010 European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Paris, Athletissima in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Seven Hills Run in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
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