Tips for Running in an Environmentally Friendly Way

Top Tips

 

• Try out new routes. If you continually just follow other’s Strava routes, they get overused!  Save some for yourself rather than putting everything public on strava.

• Scree slopes are an important and vulnerable habitat: don't continually run down the same route (unless it's completely wrecked already!)

• If there is an erosion scar, walk within its boundaries to avoid spreading it further;

• We all love a direct run down but if you are just out for a bimble , take the path or follow a route that zig-zags.  If you are doing a direct route, go away from the path rather cutting its corners and causing water damage.

• If you are not running on the path, go right away from it.   Running next to made paths, destroys the drainage channels on either side and cause it to disintegrate.

• If you have a moment, help by clearing stones and soil from drainage channels across paths;  this helps water flow freely in the channels, directing it away from the path.

• Be kind to the ground!  Don’t kick steps in loose ground, and if you use trekking poles take care not to stab at delicate soil banks. Poles can often cause just as much damage as your feet. In wet conditions, damage is often magnified as the ground underfoot is looser, so take extra care if it’s raining.

• When crossing watercourses to try to avoid damage to the banks and avoid any disturbance to the riverbed.  If it’s safe to so, use stones to hop over, it has the added benefit of keeping feet dry!

• In bogs, generally the wetter areas are the most intact and with the best vegetation and ideally it's best to avoid those anyway (see dry feet above!). When there is exposed peat and erosion try to avoid directly crossing these features to prevent further erosion.

• Pick up litter if you can, if we can take away a bit extra, we help counteract the litter louts

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Dogs

For a dog to have the freedom of the hills, it needs you to put in the effort into train it.

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Never let a dog loose unless it is trained to never bother sheep and has perfect recall. 

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In ground nesting season (March to end of July):

• legally you dog should be on a lead, if you don't, keep it close to you and don’t let it roam over moorland, keep to ridges and frequented areas. The time a dog can disturb a ground nesting bird is enough for the eggs to cool or cause the parents to abandon the eggs or leave chicks to starve.

• It's not a good time to be exploring lonely boggy/grassy areas in general, let the birds have a bit of peace.

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Getting to and from running

• Use public transport, you can then do a linear route. 

• Traveline.com gives all the bus times

• Bustimes.org has a map so you can track when your bus will be arriving.  Most buses now have trackers.

• Bike if you can or car share.

 

Kit

• Try to make you kit last, pass on what you don’t need, Snowdonia Kit Repair and Alpkit both offer good repair services.

• Opt for ‘Tree not a Tee’ where it is offered.

• Try to use products using recycled or biodegradable materials if possible.

 

Dog worming and Flea Treatments

These chemicals are being found in our rivers and causing serious environmental damage.  Try to only use them when absolutely necessary.

 

Eryri Races

Race organisers, we want to set a good example, please

• Use reusable/biodegradable items and encourage runners to bring their own cups and bowls.

• Try to have start times that allow people to arrive by public transport easily.

• Encourage use of public transport and car sharing.

• Try to use paperless registration and advertising where possible.

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