WELLS Festival of Running is taking steps to reduce its plastic consumption for this year’s event.
Disposable plastic cups and bottles will be replaced with recyclable, refillable cups and water dispensers at key points on the course and at the finish line, which can be dispensed to runners at the same speed.
Finishers will receive a high-quality dye cast medal with a distinctive local design but, in line with its aim to reduce plastics, the organisers have opted against a finishers T-shirt as most technical T-shirts are made from oil-based, synthetic fabrics and are shipped from factories thousands of miles away, which means a high carbon footprint.
After a Covid-enforced break, the Wells Festival of Running returned with great success in 2022 with more than 650 runners taking part.
This year the event returns to its usual May date, taking place on Sunday, May 26. It includes 10km and 5km road races starting at the Market Place and ending with a picturesque and well-supported finish along The Bishop’s Palace moat.
It aims to attract families with races for junior runners as well as club runners and first-time runners alike. The festival is entirely organised by volunteers, many of whom are members of local running club the Wells City Harriers. The timings of each races means two parents can compete in a run each.
A Couch to 5k course will take place every Wednesday before the event, starting on Wednesday, April 3. Interested runners should emailcouchto5k@wellscityharriers.org.uk to register their interest.
Entries to The Wells Festival of Running are open now. Visit www.wellscityharriers.co.uk/wells