The Green Runners

03/10/2026

Comrades Marathon has dropped its oily sponsors 👏🏻🥳🎉

One less race being used for sportswashing!

Now it needs to turn action into policy.

Time for other races to follow Comrades lead.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ygYYOoMJbiw?si=uYEPl5jCzS5mdIFA

Tag in the comments and tell them to make no foss...

02/10/2026

Target set and smashed! At the Wizz Air Ealing Half Marathon, The Green Runners had one goal: expose the impact of high-carbon race sponsors.

While thousands of runners took to the streets for health and fitness, Wizz Air used the event as a billboard to promote extra short-haul flights.

A runner entering all nine Wizz Air-sponsored
events across Europe could generate around 5.4 tonnes of carbon emissions. That is equal to the entire annual footprint of an average UK resident!

Our crew took to the course, not for personal bests but to stand up for clean sport. We had brilliant support from runners and spectators as we flew around Ealing to raise awareness alongside Badvertising and Flight Free UK.

🎥 Video credit to Talia and Liam at Badvertising.

Please support the campaign by signing our
petition today.

https://www.change.org/p/drop-polluting-sponsors-stop-taking-the-whizz?utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&recruited_by_id=9085ef80-5984-11e5-b1ba-31d6efef5688&share_id=dg27NXvQ

Let's get rid of sportswashing for our health and our planet!

What's one change you want race organisers to
nake for cleaner events? Share your thoughts
below!

01/10/2026

Meet Leigh, taking on his first 50-miler with a green mindset!

"I've always been a keen runner and conscious of my environmental impact. I've never really stepped up and done anything active in this space, but after hearing about The Green Runners on a few podcasts, I was inspired to join and see how I can make a difference.

I heard this from someone else but loved it: [my pledge is] to leave a place better than I found it.

My passion is trail running and ultra marathons. I am a total newbie to ultras and I’m writing this just ahead of my first 50-miler. I'm looking forward to wearing my badge and raising awareness of The Green Runners."

By proudly wearing his badge and using his voice on the trails, Leigh is putting our pillar into practice. Every conversation on a run helps spread the word for a fitter planet!

Read more stories at https://thegreenrunners.com/badge-bimbles/

Follow Leigh's journey: https://www.facebook.com/leighspt

Share your own story by sending us a DM or submitting it at https://forms.gle/uvCX6wv8JzQWAMcx6.

29/09/2026

Nottingham local meet-up? 🌿🏃‍♀️

⏰️ When: Saturday, 17th October,8:45am

📍 Where: Beeston parkrun

🤝 Meet: The pavilion on Weirfields Recreation Ground, NG9 1NG.

Look out for Kev with his Green Runners badges on display.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/beeston/course/

🏃 What: Run or walk parkrun at your own pace. We plan to litter pick after the run, followed by refreshments in the café for those who want to stay.

We encourage sustainable travel wherever possible. Beeston is regularly serviced by trains, buses and trams.

🚂 The railway station is located approximately 0.8 miles from the start, and Beeston bus and tram interchange is 1.3 miles away.

🚌 The CT4N 18 bus (between Stapleford and Nottingham, via Beeston) provides the closest bus point stopping at the Meadow Road shops (0.5 miles from the start).

We'd love to see you there. All abilities welcome!

27/09/2026

Our green flight crew chatted to fellow runners and spectators along the Ealing Half Marathon course.

On arrival at the finish line, they delivered our letter to Will, CEO of race organisers Nation. We hope to continue our dialogue with them for a greener future.

Join The GreenRunners, Badvertising, and Flight Free UK in telling Wizz Air race organisers to drop their big polluting sponsor.

Sign our petition 🖋

https://www.change.org/p/drop-polluting-sponsors-stop-taking-the-whizz?recruiter=381695576&recruited_by_id=9085ef80-5984-11e5-b1ba-31d6efef5688&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&share_id=KJFkgFx4RN

27/09/2026

We are running the race on oil, just like Wizz Air Ealing Halff Marathon.

Green Runners need fuelling just like any other runner. The Green Runners crew are on hand to dispense oily refreshments along the route.

End sportswashing!

Sign our petition 🖋
https://www.change.org/p/drop-polluting-sponsors-stop-taking-the-whizz

27/09/2026

This week is Ealing Climate Week 💚🌍

Running doesn’t go hand-in-hand with promoting flying. It’s a huge contradiction. We hope Ealing Council can help convince the Ealing Half Marathon to drop high carbon sponsor Wizz Air.

Large video adverts at Ealing Half Marathon during climate week. Make it make sense!

Join us, Badvertising, and Flight Free UK in telling Wizz Air race organisers to drop their big polluting sponsor.

They’re taking the Whizz 🤬

27/09/2026

A brief layover and change of pilot at Ealing Half Marathon.

Unseasonably warm running conditions thanks to climate change. We thank the polluting sponsor for their contribution. Brace brace!

Sign our petition calling on races to drop Wizz Air as sponsor. 🖋
https://www.change.org/p/drop-polluting-sponsors-stop-taking-the-whizz

17/08/2026

Following our biggest attendance yet at our August local meet-up the theme of this LMU is ‘bring a friend and some gardening gloves’; we’ll bring the bags to collect the litter!

When Saturday, 12 September

Where Southwark parkrun

Meet 08:40 outside the Southwark Park Pavilion Café; then run/walk/skip round the 5km. We will litter pick for some time after.

what3words: ///jabs.behind.plant

We encourage sustainable travel and recommend checking the TfL website, TfL Go app, or Citymapper to plan your journey and check for any live disruptions.

🚂 London Overground (Windrush line) The park is a one-minute walk from Surrey Quays station.

Exit the station and head past the Yellow House on the western side of Lower Road to reach the entrance.
🚇 London Underground (Jubilee line) The nearest tube station is Canada Water, approximately a 10-minute walk away.

🚌 Bus Southwark Park is well-served by several local bus routes.

Routes 1, 47, 188, 199, 225, 381, and P12 all stop within a short distance of the park entrances.

🚴‍♂️ TfL Cycle Hire There are several docking stations nearby for those arriving by bike.

Closest locations: Rotherhithe Roundabout, Clements Road, and Canada Water.

Join the London Southwark LMU mailing list to receive the latest updates https://thegreenrunners.com/local-meet-ups/

All abilities welcome!

17/08/2026

A great article aligned with our pillar.

“It’s time to stop consuming the outdoors and get back to simply experiencing it.”

1. Buy Pre-Loved First
2. Repair, Re-Proof, and Care
3. Clear Out the Cupboards
4. Master the Art of “Good Enough”

https://outdoorrevival.co.uk/p/the-overconsumption-crisis-in-the-outdoor-industry

Has fast fashion taken over the trails? Discover how gear micro-trends impact the environment and why buying used kit is the ultimate fix for UK hikers.

13/08/2026

Is your running kit really at the end of its life? It might have plenty of miles left to give!

Welcome to Badge Bimble Thursday, where we celebrate our members taking real action for the planet. Today we are featuring member Vix, who is putting our How We Kit Up and How We Move pillars into practice every single day.

Here is her story in her own words:

"I joined The Green Runners as I felt the ethics are important to me. We all need to do our bit to help stop fast fashion filling landfill and recycle when we can. I am a big fan of Preloved Sports and Vinted to help with this. I only recently passed my driving test as I had no choice, as my husband became disabled and we needed a wheelchair-adapted vehicle since we live very rurally. I still carshare as much as possible though for club runs and events.

My main pledge is recycling as much as I can and buying any new gear needed from Preloved Sports or Vinted. There is loads of life left in my shoes and they do not need replacing every 500 miles like the sports companies would have you believe! I was brought up in the 1970s, so make-do and mend was instilled in me at a very young age.

Recently, I completed my first 50km ultra at Whitelee Windfarm (Run the Blades), raising money for Alzheimer's UK after my husband developed early-onset vascular dementia following a stroke. I could not have done it without the help and encouragement from Into Ultra, who I joined thanks to The Green Runners. And of course, I repped the badges!"

By challenging the myth that we constantly need new gear, Vix shows how simple choices make a massive collective impact. Every mended zip, second-hand top, and shared car ride brings us closer to a greener running culture.

Read more inspiring stories at https://thegreenrunners.com/badge-bimbles/

Want to inspire fellow runners? Share your story with TGR by sending us a DM or submitting it here: https://forms.gle/uvCX6wv8JzQWAMcx6

12/08/2026

🎤🎧 *New episode drop alert*

Many of you have shown an interest in either joining or leading your own Local Meet Up. Last week, OG LMU founder Kev sat with Laura to chat about just that and explained how simple and rewarding it is to connect with fellow members whether you're running, walking, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines.

You'll find answers to…
- Where do I even start?
- ⁠How do I pick a route?
- ⁠Do I have to be a certified lead?
- ⁠Can I join even if I'm not fast/I don't do long distances?

Watch the interview on YouTube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:
https://thegreenrunners.com/kevin-bowen-the-grassroots-trail-blazer/

12/08/2026

Our biggest turn out yet!

Ben our South London local meet-up lead was unavailable but keen to get an every second Saturday meet-up off the ground Jeev stepped in and even brought along some friends. Seven runners equipped with greenrunner badges lined up at the start of Greenwich Peninsula parkrun only to remember too late (again) to mention to the race director we were visiting. Remind me again what pillar four is all about 🤦‍♀️

Running at their own pace we all completed parkrun before wandering along the river to have coffee and a chat. Over refreshments we shared stories of adventures on the trails, stories from the lakes and training plans for approaching events.

As we walked back to the tube station discussion turned to future meet ups and excitement about the prospect of a summer gathering in 2027.

Next venue still to be agreed but looks like second Saturday of the month. Can we challenge everyone that comes to bring a friend!

09/08/2026

Congratulations to our co-founder Jasmin Paris on an incredible 2nd place finish at the Swiss Alps 100. 👏

Did you spot The Green Runners badge on Jasmin’s pack? 👀

08/08/2026

This morning, the Nottingham crew visited Forest Rec parkrun for their August meet-up. 🌳

Caren, Mia, Su, Jon, Matt J, Matt N, and Kev all ran or walked the hilly 5k course whilst Grace, joining us for the first time, volunteered as marshal. 🦺

The Forest Recreation Ground is easily accessible by public transport with our crew travelling to the park either on foot, via tram, or train. 🏃‍♀️🚊

The group collected 3.5 sacks of litter on a post parkrun cooldown plog, including a discarded frisbee, which was taken home as a new dog toy. 🥏 🐕

A lovely morning was topped off with coffee and vegan cake at the café. 🍰

Next month, you'll find us at the Nottingham Green Festival where we have a stand. More details to follow. 👀

31/07/2026

An excellent opportunity to connect with others and find new ways to take action against those driving climate change.

Join the Weald Action Group Cake at the Gate picnic.

Come join us for some cake, conversation and campaign connection 🍰

'Cake at the Gate' at Horndean Well Site on Sunday 6th September - 12:30pm

www.wealdactiongroup.org.uk/2026/07/cake-at-the-gate-horndean-6-sept-2026

Spread the word!

30/07/2026

Ready to trade competitive race times for running as a shoal to help protect endangered Atlantic salmon?

In our latest episode of Storytime, host Laura Briggs chats with Olympic Champion Etienne Stott MBE, Goldman Environmental Prize winner Sarah Finch, and eco-social artist Anne-Marie Culhane about Devon's dying rivers. They discuss what it takes to defeat oil giants in court, how elite whitewater skills apply to climate action, and the magic of carrying a cloth salmon called Samantha 43 miles up the River Exe.

Whether you tackle the full ultra or team up for the relay, the Salmon Run is all about running for something bigger than ourselves. We can take positive, meaningful action together through how we move and how we speak out for wild spaces.

🐟 Join the Salmon Run (Sat, Sept 19th)⁠ https://tidelines.uk/salmon-run/

💚 Green Runners Discount: Members get 20% off. ⁠Get in touch for your code⁠!

☕ Support the Show: Help us build a greener running world for the price of a coffee a month. ⁠ Join The Green Runners⁠⁠. https://thegreenrunners.com/become-a-member/

How do you use your running to connect with and protect local wild places?

30/07/2026

UK and Spanish Governments issue a joint statement

“Both parties agreed that tackling the climate crisis was an urgent policy priority for all countries- to tackle the cost of living, protect health and wellbeing, and to ensure European economic and energy security.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-by-the-ministers-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-and-the-kingdom-of-spain-on-wildfires-

The UK and Spain agreed that the climate crisis is an urgent policy priority and committed to co-leading the green transition, strengthening clean energy cooperation and advancing international climate action.