How the Linz Marathon strives for sustainability.
At the 20th Oberbank Linz Danube Marathon, not only the past of the running spectacle is being remembered on the occasion of the anniversary, organizers and sponsors are naturally also thinking about the future. Environmental and climate protection measures are a top priority. In the spirit of sustainability, the marathon is increasingly striving for a green footprint.
"For Oberbank as an independent regional bank, thinking and acting sustainably have always been an integral part of the corporate strategy," says running enthusiast Franz Gasselsberger, General Manager of Oberbank. Words have long since been followed by deeds. Since 2018, city bees have populated the roof of the corporate headquarters in Linz in four hives. For every entry for one of the Linz Marathon's running events, one square meter of flowering area is planted as "food for the bees."
With numerous other projects, the organizing team is striving to achieve a good eco-balance. An Austrian Green Event certification body, which accompanies all measures, has been activated. In the medium term, the Linz Marathon is to be fully certified as a Green Event. On the way there, for example, the registration brochure (on environmental paper) was reduced in size. The finisher shirts can be offered for the first time made of recycled material in cooperation with the company "Erima", and this year the starter bags are also made of recycled plastic and are themselves once again one hundred percent recyclable.
An important point concerns mobility. On the day of the event, the start numbers of all the events will be valid as a free ticket for the Linz public transport system. In addition, shuttle services from Linz Central Station to the start and back will also be free of charge. Incidentally, the lead car from marathon partner Hyundai on October 23 will be a hydrogen-powered Nexo.
An important aspect in terms of sustainability is also the effort to find regional partners such as the Upper Austrian company Starzinger (mineral water) or the catering partner "1st Event", an organic-certified company from Hörsching.
Source: nachrichten.at
