Johnson Crane commits to a litter-free event

The sponsors of the Benoni Harriers Marathon, Johnson Crane Hire, will implement a Do Not Litter campaign during the Johnson Crane Marathon on January 28.

This follows complaints after last year’s race where the waste discarded by runners ended up in drains and at the Korsman Bird Sanctuary.

The company will place visible signage at all water points to inform runners to throw their rubbish into the bins that will be placed along the route in Benoni and Boksburg.

“It is our intension to leave a zero impact on the environment. We will be using biodegradable water sachets at environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, we have put additional measures in place at storm water drains such as mesh to prevent sachets going into the drains,” the company said in a statement.

“We’ve informed runners on all our social media platforms and via direct communication of the impact of throwing sachets into drains and how they then cannot be collected by clean-up crews and in turn wash up in wetlands, rivers and dams.”

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The race will see athletes compete for honours in the 42.2km marathon, a Comrades Marathon and Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon qualifier, 21.1km, 10km and 5km fun run, as well as a 1km kiddies dash.

“There will be loads of kiddies activities with jumping castles, bungee jumping, water slides, swings and face painting to name a few. There will also be food stands on offer for those growling tummies and a beer garden to quench that ‘runner’s thirst’.”

“Johnson Crane Hire prides itself in hosting the premier and most supported inland marathon which is also the longest single sponsored Marathon in South African road running.

“Our special thanks to Benoni Harriers for their management and organising of the event and our additional partners who contribute to the success of the event each year.”

Jane Trembath, chairperson of Korsman Conservancy, thanked the organisers of the race for making it environmentally friendly.

“Korsman welcomes this initiative to eliminate plastic waste from water sachets. After the race last year, we picked up numerous plastic sachets in the park and washed into the pan, where they could be swallowed by waterfowl.

“I am glad that Johnson Crane Hire has taken my complaint seriously and are working to make the race environmentally friendly. I hope the runners do their part to keep our natural spaces and our communities clean,” said Trembath.

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