At the 20th Oberbank Linz Donau Marathon, not only the past of the running spectacle is being remembered for the anniversary, organizers and sponsors are of course also thinking about the future. The environmental and climate protection measures are very important. In terms of sustainability, the marathon is increasingly trying to achieve a green footprint.
“For the Oberbank as an independent regional bank, sustainable thinking and acting have always been an integral part of the corporate strategy,” says General Manager Franz Gasselsberger, who is enthusiastic about running. Words have long since been followed by deeds. City bees have been populating the roof of the company headquarters in Linz in four beehives since 2018. For each entry for one of the Linz Marathon running competitions, one square meter of flowering area is created as “fodder for the bees”.
With numerous other projects, the organizational team strives for a good ecological balance. An Austrian Green Event certification body, which accompanies all measures, has been activated. In the medium term, the Linz marathon is to receive full certification as a green event. On the way there, for example, the registration brochure (on eco-friendly paper) was reduced in size. In cooperation with the “Erima” company, the finisher shirts can for the first time be made from recycled material, and this year the starter bags are also made from recycled plastic and are once again 100% recyclable.
An important point concerns mobility. The start numbers of all competitions are valid as a free ticket on the Linz public transport system on the day of the event. There are also shuttle services from the main train station in Linz to the start and back, which are also free. By the way, the lead car from marathon partner Hyundai on October 23 will be a hydrogen-powered Nexo.
An important aspect in terms of sustainability is also the effort to find regional partners such as the Upper Austrian company Starzinger (mineral water) or the catering partner “1st Event”, a certified organic company from Hörsching.
Source: Nachrichten
