UK's top athletes taking on climate change: An overview of the front-running British elites championing environmental conservation efforts.
The Green Runners' Green Revolution
2024 was a groundbreaking year for the Green Runners, a growing community of environmentally conscious runners based in the UK. The group, together with Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc and notable figures like Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller, successfully forced SUV manufacturer Dacia to step down as the sponsor of the renowned race. The movement truly caught fire when British ultra runner and co-founder Damian Hall made waves at the 2024 Tor des Geants, donning a blue Ford "F*** off" t-shirt and waving a green banner asserting "Stop oily money in sport."
Earlier in the year, Jasmin Paris, another Green Runners co-founder, set the world ablaze with her unparalleled feat at the Barkley Marathons. Having decided to part ways with sponsorship to stay true to her values, she became the first woman to complete five laps of the infamous race as an unsponsored athlete.
As the actions of trailblazing figures merchandised the Green Runners community, its reach expanded significantly. Although primarily a members-only organization, it's experiencing continuous growth each year. Its central mission is to reduce the carbon footprint of its members through thoughtful choices in every aspect of their running practices.
The roots of the Green Runners began with ultra runner Dan Lawson, who established ReRun in 2018. The initiative centered around collecting and reselling second-hand running apparel online, with profits going back to the running community. This sparked interest in fellow co-founder and runner Darren Evans, who penned a "Runners against Climate Change Ode" for COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Damian Hall, a British ultra-running icon, joined the fray and assisted in producing a video featuring several high-profile runners, including Jasmin Paris, Finlay Wild, and Jim Mann. The video debuted before the conference, with several of the future Green Runners gathering in solidarity with other climate protest groups.
Unsatisfied with the outcome of COP26, the group decided to take things into their own hands and foster a community of like-minded runners for COP27. In early 2022, the Green Runners initiative was officially kickstarted, having collaborated with Dan Lawson's Rerun Clothing and Trees Not Tees. The official launch took place on April 22, World Earth Day.
Members pay a nominal monthly fee to contribute to the operational costs and wider initiatives of the Green Runners. In return, they gain access to exclusive member benefits, such as a monthly newsletter, free participation in Green Runners events, membership to the Strava group, and more. The most important aspect of being a Green Runners member is the pledge made…
Join the Green Runners Today!
Stay informed with the latest news, tips, and guides to help you run green!
A Pledge for a Greener Future
New members are asked to make at least one pledge towards enhancing the sustainability of their running practices. According to the Green Runners website, approximately 3,000 pledges have been made to date. These pledges fall under four main categories: Traveling Green, Fueling Up, Kitting Out, and Speaking Up.
Change Your Running for the Better
Traveling Green
The travel choices of runners have a significant impact on their carbon footprint. Green Runners encourage carpooling or train travel to reach races and racing events, emphasizing keeping their travel footprint in check when planning their race schedules. Flying is the least sustainable mode of transportation, and members are advised to utilize it sparingly.
Kitting Out
This pillar comprises several aspects. First, members are urged to carefully evaluate their wardrobe additions, considering whether the item is truly necessary and if it could be borrowed or purchased second-hand. Proper care and maintenance of existing gear also play a key role in extending its lifespan, and members are encouraged to sell items they no longer use or need. When it comes to races, the Green Runners ask members to discourage organizers from giving out medals and running tops, in favor of planting trees instead.
Fueling Up
A plant-based diet is significantly more beneficial for the environment than diets with a higher meat and dairy component. Although the Green Runners don't expect their members to become vegan or vegetarian, they do ask them to limit their meat consumption to one or two days a week at most. The consumption of beef, with its high carbon footprint and inefficient land usage, causes the most harm and is singled out for reduction by the Green Runners.
Speaking Up
For the Green Runners' message to resonate and catalyze change among the athletic community, it's crucial that their voice be heard as widely as possible. Members are encouraged to share their pledges on social media, push brands and businesses towards greener practices, and engage in discussions with other runners regarding the values of being a Green Runner.
Trailblazers of Change
Two legendary co-founders of the Green Runners are Jasmin Paris and Damian Hall. Paris achieved international fame in 2024 when she became the first woman to complete all five laps of the Barkley Marathons as an unsponsored athlete. Additionally, Damian Hall, the current director and a vocal Green Runner, officially parted ways with sponsor inov-8 with a heartfelt declaration of gratitude for their support during his 8-year career.
Paris and Hall are committed to setting an example within the running community by championing eco-friendly practices and foregoing traditional sponsorship deals.
Green Runners: Making a Difference
Beyond raising awareness about sustainable practices for runners, the Green Runners also publicly recognize the efforts of race organizers who implement environmentally-friendly measures. They do not shy away from speaking out against sportswashing, greenwashing, and negligent event planning.
Perhaps the highest profile instance of the Green Runners voicing their concerns occurred when the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc accepted sponsorship from car manufacturer Dacia. Together with the Pro Trail Runners Association, the Green Runners spearheaded an open letter to UTMB HQ and gathered over 3,000 signatures from concerned runners, including influential figures like Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg. Despite Dacia remaining a partner, the Green Runners celebrate UTMB’s decision to partner with Hoka as a positive step towards a greener future.
The Green Runners continue their activism across the athletic community, shedding light on various issues and pushing for a more sustainable world for runners.
The Green Runners expanded their mission in 2022, incorporating environmental-science and climate-change concerns into their central objectives. Their Speaking Up pillar encourages members to use their platform in sports to advocate for scientifically-informed climate change solutions.
As the movement gained traction, the Green Runners started recognizing and awarding sporting events that demonstrate dedication to reducing their climate impact, as a way to inspire and motivate other organizations in the sports industry to follow suit.
