Today, the Pro Trail Runners Association (PTRA) has released the Environmental Ethical Boundaries document that outlines a set of boundaries that we, as athletes, believe are important for ensuring that we feel comfortable participating in an event. As the number of trail races and events grows worldwide, the PTRA feel that there is increasing need for a set of boundaries and guidelines to help organizers ensure that their events respect the ethics and values of trailrunning. In the document you will find green lines (or recommendations for races, circuits and federations), and red lines that the athletes don’t want to cross regarding certain sponsorships, the use of polluting vehicles in the races, building artificial infrastructures or permanent ecosystem damages. 

The red lines stated by the PTRA Environmental Ethical Boundaries document are: 

1. Lack of publicly stated policy. All events must have a publicly-stated environmental policy or commitment that can be consulted online. 
2.  Infrastructure. Events shall not build infrastructure (buildings, roads, trails, etc.) that will cause permanent damage to the ecosystems and/or will not have a purpose outside of the event.
3. Permanent ecosystem damage. Events shall pay special attention to fragile ecosystems, species and protected areas that risk permanent damage by hosting an event. When possible, these areas should be avoided and in all cases local land managers must be consulted to ensure that necessary measures are taken to avoid unnecessary damage. 
4. Polluting vehicles. Races shall not use vehicles that are highly polluting/high emissions or especially loud (motorbikes, quads, helicopters) for purposes outside of security/rescue needs.Races also shouldn’t allow third party companies to use these vehicles in an action related to the event (i.e. TV filming) 
5. Single use items. Races shall not supply single-use plastics and styrofoam food and beverage containers to race attendees and spectators. This includes aid stations and at the finish line, as well as in pre- and post-race meals.

There is also a section about greenwashing and sponsorship in trailrunning events with the following red line: “Races, circuits and/or federations shall not be sponsored by: 

• Fossil fuel companies (Gas extraction companies, gas distributors, or similar) 
• Mineral extraction companies 
• Industrial-scale livestock farming 
• Logging companies
• Tobacco companies
• Any companies clearly associated with environmental crimes 

The document was written by the PTRA Environment group led by board members Pascal Egli, Fred Tranchand and Pau Capell with support by Kilian Jornet (PTRA founder and advisor). The working group consists of PTRA members Hillary Gerardi, Jazmine Lowther, Johann Baujard, Grayson Murphy, Clare Gallagher, Emily Schmitz, Kimi Schreiber and Toni McCann. The final version has been voted and approved by the PTRA board. 

We firmly believe that as elite athletes we have a big responsibility in keeping the values of the sport and protect it in the future, so we thank in advance all the circuits, federations and races that we have already contacted for their collaboration. We stand together for a fair and responsible sport.  

You can find the full document here: https://trailrunners.run/environmental-ethical-boundaries-for-trail-running-competitions/

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