The Income Eco Run is a unique event aiming for a zero waste future. Find out here on its initiatives and how to win two free slots to do your part
Posed with the challenge 'How Far Will You Go for Zero Waste?', Income Eco Run (IER) calls upon Singaporeans to stride towards sustainability through running on 26 May. With the choice of 3km, 5km, 10km, 15km and a half marathon, running enthusiasts will start their run in support of a zero-waste lifestyle at Marina Barrage.
After last year’s successful return after a three year hiatus due the the Covid-19 pandemic, Income Insurance Limited (Income Insurance) returned to the drawing board to see how they could make this year’s sustainability efforts even more enticing.
Shannen Fong, Vice President of Strategic Communications and Sustainability at Income Insurance shed light on the collaborative effort that fuelled the ideation process.
“Recognising that zero waste resonates as a climate-positive concept, we wanted to leverage the existing awareness around the "reduce, reuse, recycle" concept to inspire a larger collective action,” she shared.
“With this in mind, we made significant changes to the run format, such as shifting it to a non-competitive format and thus, doing away with event medals and issuing e-certificates instead, making the ever-popular event tees an option, and offering participants the flexibility to choose their preferred distance, among others.”
In light of World Environment Day on 5 June, IER has continued to push boundaries, reducing the running bib size — 65% smaller than the industry standard as compared to last year’s 30% — to minimise material wastage. IER tees have also been made optional, with the run encouraging participants to pick their own attire instead. What may sound like a simple ask is actually a sustainable effort in itself.
“The over-production and disposal of running apparel can be environmentally impactful. To address this, we've encouraged participants to wear their own gear or opt for our event tees at a nominal price, which are made from recycled materials and have a minimal carbon footprint. Income Eco Run tees are not dated, meaning that the batch production isn’t wasted and can be used year on year,” Fong said.
To add to the fun, children participating in the new Kids Category will be given bibs made from seed paper, allowing kids to clock in their miles and grow their own flowers, fruits or vegetables at home after. The freedom to choose your race distance as well as including wheelchair accessible ramps is also meant to encourage people from all backgrounds to participate in saving the environment.
With a significant running scene that continues to grow even bigger, Singapore hosts several runs each year. Running with helping the climate in mind, IER distinguishes itself as one-of-a-kind and with their initiatives, they hope to inspire not only the running community, but the country.
“The sports community plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness, but our advocacy extends beyond just this community. At Income Eco Run, we believe in fostering a collective effort to address climate change and promote sustainable living practices not only within the sports community but across Singapore as a whole,” Fong explained.
Believing that running events can play a huge role in influencing good habits to save the environment, she added “The importance of integrating sustainable solutions into the local running scene goes beyond just making running events eco-friendly. By adopting these practices, we are leveraging running as a platform to raise awareness and advocate for a zero waste and sustainable lifestyle among Singaporeans,”
The run route itself will take participants on a journey through the iconic landmarks of Singapore, such as Gardens By The Bay and the Singapore Flyer. The finish point for the run is the IER Village which will boast a range of ‘green’ festivities that participants and visitors can engage in.
While registrations are open until 10th May, Sportplus.sg is collaborating with IER to give away two complimentary run slots. Lucky participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the planet. Visit here to find out how.