Environmental ethics
From the moment we decided to organise this race, we were very clear that it should go beyond the purely sporting aspect, since it was born from a group of runners committed to a charity project, “SOMOS ECOPARQUE”, and lovers of the spectacular landscape that nature has given us in the Ecoparque de Trasmiera. That is why, from the very beginning, our race has been guided by a philosophy based on environmental, social and ethical values. After the experience gained in the first years, the time has come to make formal commitments that strengthen the social and environmental value of Trail Ecoparque de Trasmiera Gran Premio de Isla.
1. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT.
We want this mountain race, which runs through emblematic places of the Ecoparque de Trasmiera and the Parque Natural de las Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel, to help raise awareness of the value of these natural areas and the need to conserve them, committing ourselves to minimising the environmental impact of its preparation and staging, offsetting the carbon footprint we generate through the reforestation of woodland, and linking the race to awareness-raising and environmental commitment activities among runners, volunteers and collaborators. The first step was to sign a “FORMAL COMMITMENT” to the conservation of the natural environment, both locally and globally, expressed in the initiative “UN MILLÓN POR EL CLIMA” with our commitment to offset our carbon footprint and save water.
In this area of action, we have launched 2 initiatives for 2020:
#STOPPLÁSTICO single-use.
We are launching the #StopPlástico single-use campaign, with which we aim to reduce the use of this material, which is causing an extremely high level of pollution in our oceans. To set an example, Ecoparque Trail is asking participants not to use the usual plastic cups at the aid stations, and to help with the change we have included in the race pack, thanks to the sponsorship of Multiservicios Río Miera, a silicone cup that is easy to use as it is foldable, easy to carry and reusable for as many races as you like. This will remove the need for thousands of cups that would otherwise end up in the bin. In addition, the rest of the containers, such as plates, spoons and cups, used for the post-race food service will be eco-friendly and biodegradable, so that instead of going in the bin they will be properly recycled in the municipal composter. With this measure, 6.000 cups, 1.500 food containers and 1.500 sets of non-recyclable plastic cutlery have been removed from the waste stream.
#HUELLACARBONOCERO and development cooperation
The race inevitably generates a carbon footprint, through energy consumption and pollution from the use of vehicles and other materials. To offset the carbon footprint, in previous years trees were planted in our local area. This year we wanted to take a more decisive step forward so that this offsetting with new trees also helps development cooperation initiatives. In 2020 we will begin a collaboration with the Cantabrian Salesian missionary Antonio Gutiérrez, who is currently posted in Sierra Leone, specifically in Lungi, where they work and collaborate with schools for children and young people with whom we will be able to carry out the tree-planting project. Ecoparque Trail will sponsor a project under which one tree will be planted for each participant, approximately 1.000 in total, in a process in which schoolchildren will play an active part, as the partner schools will be responsible for carrying out the planting.
Sustained tree planting over time will have multiple benefits for the local community:
a) It will improve environmental quality, helping to minimise the carbon footprint generated by the race.
b) It will help to halt the process of soil degradation typical of many areas of sub-Saharan countries.
c) They will provide a source of food for the inhabitants of each community.
2. SOCIAL COMMITMENT.
Every year we have tried to collaborate with charities or charitable projects: Cáritas, Fundación San Filipo and the Asociación Kimo Kap have received our financial support.
With AMPROS we have agreed that its carpentry workshop will make a large part of the trophies, thus integrating people with disabilities into the race through active participation.
The case of AMICA demonstrates that willpower is important for removing barriers, and so a group of 3 people with a significant level of disability, accompanied by two instructors, will take part in the IV Trail Ecoparque de Trasmiera just like any other participants.
#LUCIÉRNAGAS SOLIDARIAS
Both the “Luciérnagas Solidarias” night trail held on Friday and the Zumba Master Class held on Saturday afternoon share the common aim of raising funds for social projects. For the second year, and with the sponsorship of Obra Social La Caixa, the aim will be to support the project “Humanización de las urgencias pediátricas del Hospital de Valdecilla” promoted by the Asociación Buscando Sonrisas.
The financial aid will go towards continuing the project begun in 2019, in which the race’s contribution, 3.400€, was used to humanise waiting room 2 of the Short Stay Emergency Unit at Valdecilla, by placing vinyls in them with scenes featuring Valde and Cilla, characters by the Cantabrian illustrator Rubén Martín, alias Mudito, created especially to keep children company during their stay in hospital.
#INCLUSIVE SPORT.
A couple of years ago a group of members of AMICA started the Slow Nature Trail, showing that their physical and mental limitations were not an insurmountable obstacle to completing such a difficult race.
Also in 2019, the Arrastrasillas group joined Luciérnagas Solidarias as participants, carrying two participants with physical disabilities in two chairs.
This 2020, Juan Fernández Llames (Juanin), who is blind and has a certain degree of mental disability, will take part in the Speed Trail; he is well known in the Asturian trail world for his participation in various races that have tested his ability to overcome challenges.
3. ETHICAL COMMITMENT.
This is the commitment that relates to everything surrounding the race. Organising a race takes a great deal of effort and has a high financial cost, which is covered by runners through their registration fees, sponsors through their financial or material support, and the organisation itself with its own resources. That is why we believe that the race belongs a little to everyone, and that this requires maintaining an ethic expressed through transparency, information and participation in those matters that can be shared without jeopardising the safety and viability of the race.
Our race is not for profit; rather, in harmony with the Ayuntamiento de Arnuero, its objectives are the promotion of sport and health, and the dissemination of the natural and landscape values of the municipality as a resource for promoting responsible tourism. For this reason we also maintain a clear registration refund policy that allows athletes to register in good time, safe in the knowledge that if something prevents them from taking part they will not lose their money. You can check the prices and the refund policy in the section “REGISTRATION”.
4. COMMITMENT TO SPORT.
Our race was born with the commitment to serve the promotion of health and sport, not only trail running but all the healthy activities that can be enjoyed in nature.
That is why, under the umbrella of the race, we hold pomotional events to encourage people to take part in these activities, such as the so-called “QUEDADAS”, for both hikers and runners.
Nor have we forgotten the little ones, and that is why since the third edition we have held the “PEQUECINCHO”, a non-competitive race for children aged between 7 and 14, held the day before the race and ending with a healthy aid station and gifts for all the participating children.
