Sustainable Race

From the very beginning, Ultra-Trail Harricana has taken an environmentally responsible approach in almost all of its actions and activities.

These values guide our decision-making and have helped the event stand out in several ways in the areas of social, economic and environmental development over the last several years.

While this philosophy has always been an informal part of the organizational culture, our team wanted to ensure the continuity and coherence of our actions. In 2017, we decided to send a clear, consistent message to all our team members, partners, collaborators, suppliers as well as our runners, with a global, long-term vision aiming to structure and consolidate the steps that still need to be taken to continue reducing the environmental impacts of Événements Harricana’s projects.

–> ULTRA-TRAIL HARRICANA OF CANADA’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY

  

OUR COMMITMENTS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

WASTE MANAGEMENT

  • Provide bins to collect compostable and recyclable materials at the main site and at the eight aid stations, and encourage runners to use them correctly.
  • Prohibit runners from throwing garbage on the ground during the run or penalization, i.e. disqualification, will result.
  • Give remaining food to a local organization (the Service alimentaire et aide budgétaire de Charlevoix-Est) to redistribute to people in need.

REDUCING THE EVENT’S FOOTPRINT

  • Give out “virtual” swag bags. Instead of receiving printed materials, runners will be able to download partner promotions and ads on the web.
  • Make event medals out of biodegradable Quebec-sourced wood.
  • Limit the distribution of promotional items, especially those that don’t last long or that have limited value.
  • Only sell T-shirts to people who want them.
  • Cut down on printed materials. Most communication is done on the web through the digital newsletter, social media, the website, etc.
  • Borrow or rent materials from other organizations rather than buying them or having them custom-made for us. Likewise, we will lend out our materials and share our expertise with other organizations.
  • No longer hand out drinking cups on the races. Runners must have their own reusable cups/bottles.
  • Offer runners low-flow showers with biodegradable soap in a specific tent. All grey water will be drained effectively.
  • Use reusable containers to deliver water to the aid stations. The 20-liter tanks are on loan from another organization.
  • When possible, car travel will be reduced for the working team, and Communauto services will be promoted.

EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND TRAINING

  • Through our communications, educate and inform runners and partners of the importance of preserving the environment and the efforts we should all make.
  • Encourage ride-sharing to the event site (via newsletter, website, social media, etc.).

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Provide free registration to the young members of the Motivaction Jeunesse group and to representatives and members of other non-profits.
  • Organize the sale of used sports items for the runners.
  • Support charitable or social causes including the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
  • Provide our employees paid leave to volunteer for the causes of their choice (e.g. Fondation En Cœur).
  • Participate in the annual clean-up of the Traversée de Charlevoix trails.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • Highlight local products, services and companies.
  • Provide a meal of organic meat and local Charlevoix products that was created by a chef from the area.
  • Hold the event outside of high tourist season to encourage off-season visits to tourism attractions in the Charlevoix region.
  • Highlight the Mont Grand-Fonds ski centre and bring visibility to the mountain.

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE ETHICS

  • Choose organic and certified fair-trade foods whenever possible.
  • Write and implement a sustainable development policy to guide our organizational decisions.