1. think about environmental considerations while driving.
A major feature of the Shonan International Marathon is that it is run in a thoroughly environmentally friendly manner. One of the most notable examples of this is the fact that no disposable cups are provided at any of the water supply points along the course.

Runners participating in the full marathon must have their own bottle containing at least 200 milliliters of water. Runners will be able to supply their own water at approximately 200 water supply points along the course. Runners participating in the Fun Run 10 km must have their own cup and are encouraged to carry their own bottle. Runners participating in the 2 km Fun Run and 1.4 km Run & Walk are encouraged to carry their own cup.

The aim of setting such rules is to reduce trash, which has been an issue in previous marathons. The results of our efforts can be seen in the numbers. Compared to the previous marathon before the My Bottle & My Cup rule was introduced, the amount of trash generated in the 2019 marathon was 11,495 kilograms, but in the 2022 marathon after the My Bottle rule was introduced, it was 3,447 kilograms, and in 2023, it was 3,049 kilograms. In 2023, it will be 3,049 kilograms.
Disposable cups littering the streets near water points is probably the most common marathon scene that comes to mind. But this marathon is different. There is no litter, and the streets are clean.

That's not the only environmentally friendly initiative. At the convention venues, there are collection boxes for unwanted shoes and apparel to be reused and recycled.

In addition, a new initiative, the "Clean Start Plan," will be implemented starting this year. Under this system, runners who have applied in advance for the race are asked to put the clothes they have been wearing until just before the start into a special staff bag, which is placed in a collection box at the 5-km point from the start of the race.


The reason behind this initiative was that some runners were wearing disposable rain gappas to protect themselves from the cold before the start of the race, and these gappas were thrown away on the streets at the start of the race and turned into a pile of garbage.
We understand the feelings of runners who want to beat the cold until just before the start of the race. However, the act of using disposable items is nothing but waste, and above all, the sight of garbage strewn on the streets is not beautiful.
What has been taken for granted in conventional marathons may not actually be taken for granted. The Shonan International Marathon is the site of various efforts to fundamentally rethink the way marathons should be run, with the aim of reducing the environmental burden.