GREEN BAY — Organizers of the 33rd annual Bellin Run have adopted a greener stance this year in a concerted effort to reduce the impact of the 10K (6.2-mile) race event on the surrounding areas.
New this year, are online goodie bags, designed to significantly reduce paper waste. A virtual goodie bag gives visitors the option to print only those coupons and other offers and items that are of interest to them, reducing the need for the plastic goodie bags traditionally given to participants on race weekend.
“We’re taking proactive steps to ensure that we continue to act as a good neighbor,” said Bellin Run race director Randy Van Straten. “Given that we expect to see more registrants than the 15,149 we received last year, anything we can do to lessen our impact on the surrounding neighborhoods is a positive.”
As another green measure, all 10K runners and walkers will receive a recyclable computerized timing chip to attach to their shoe, Van Straten said. The recyclable chips are designed to give all participants a more accurate time while also helping run organizers’ efforts to reduce waste.
“We want to help our participating runners and walkers reduce their race day carbon footprints,” Van Straten said. “The run can generate a lot of empty water bottles and sports drink containers, so we plan to increase the number of receptacles we put out for collecting recyclables.”
Run organizers also will offer a shuttle service to cut down on area traffic. The service, first introduced during last year’s event, will pick up people from Lambeau Field, 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay; the Shopko store at the East Town Mall, 2430 E. Mason St., Green Bay; and the Shopko store at Bay Park Square Mall in Ashwaubenon. Those using the shuttle service will be dropped off at Astor Park, the new site of the race expo and event festivities.
Online registration for the Bellin Run began February 23 at www.bellinrun.com. Early online registration is $17 through May 31. Mail-in registration is $20. Late online registration June 1-11 is $20. Mail-in registration June 1 through June 11 is $23. On race weekend, participants can register after 4 p.m. June 12 through race day for $25 at the Astor Park registration tent. All participants receive a Bellin Run T-shirt.
