Participants, carry your own bottle as city runs towards greener future

MUMBAI: With an aim to cut down on plastic waste, participants of Sunday’s Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 (TMM) have been encouraged to carry their own water bottles.

Organisers of the event announced that they have started a bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) initiative for runners, through which they expect cut down on the use of over 70,000 plastic bottles. “Water stored in bubble jars at water-filling stations will be dispensed in paper cups or can be refilled by runners. No plastic bottles will be served. There will be designated water-refilling stations at the venue holding area, both pre-and post-finish points and on the course,” said Vivek Singh, joint managing director, Procam International, organiser of the marathon.

Singh said they will also provide participants with reusable sling bags of cloth.

The organisers have also arranged for food waste from the event to be composted and reused as manure. The development comes after the organisers had announced that the event would be a “fully waste-managed event”. They have also tied up with the civic body to manage, segregate and process waste generated during the event.

MUMBAI: For 91-year-old Madhav Nene, a former government employee, running is a way to feel young. “It is necessary for one to be healthy and fit,” says Nene, who, along with his 88-year-old brother Vasant Nene, will be taking part in Tata Mumbai Marathon for the second time. “I started running after turning 90,” says Nene. This year, the whole Nene family will be joining the brothers for the run. While Madhav’s nephew would be running 42km this year, his two female relatives will take part in the dream run. “I do nothing different, just walk normally. When they see me running, they appreciate it,” says Madhav.