Carradale Canter will use compostable cups

Biodegradeable drinking cups will spell the end of plastic bottles at an East Kintyre running event on July 1. The fourth Great Carradale Canter’s 10k and 5k runners will be given water in compostable cups at feeding stations round the course instead of the plastic 500ml bottles which are used at many events. The feeding stations, one of which is manned by Carradale Cub Scout troop, will have water in butts, one soon after the run leaves the beach and a second on the road above the Network Centre for 10k runners only and a third at the finish line. Lauren Milstead, 28, who devised the scenic village running races in 2015, said: ‘The idea is to reduce waste, focusing where possible on plastic, in particular single-use bottles. ‘We have used compostable tea/coffee cups for a long time and are extending this to smaller ones for water. ‘We have a stock of water in plastic bottles from last year that will be available at the finish line but the Canter will not be getting more or having them in future years. ‘Each cup costs about 9p, while plastic cups are £1.99 for 100, so only 2p each. It is quite a difference but not a big impact over all. ‘In addition, we are trying to move to a zero waste, zero single-use plastic event so we will have a self-service goody bag system at the end including the popular Campbeltown Pottery medals.’ Entries are still open for the challenging event. There are many trophies, including for first and second in each of the following races: women’s 5k, 10k and veterans aged 40+; men’s 5k, 10k and veterans 40+; U16 5k girls and boys and for the course record holders. There is a spot prize for each run sponsored by Springbank and another for the U16 event sponsored by Carradale Harbour Enterprises Ltd. Spectators should note that the 10k starts on the harbour quay at 11.30am and the 5k five minutes later. Runners can enter the event at www.q-buster.co.uk/the-great-carradale-canter-2018