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‘Run Off-the-Grid’ Race

Green Initiatives

The Run Off-the-Grid is promoted as the race with the smallest footprint and we take this statement seriously.  We have a number of green initiatives in place to help reduce the carbon footprint of this event and we continue to make improvements every year.

    Eco-showers
  • The event is hosted at Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge, which is an off-the-grid facility producing the majority of its electrical needs through solar and wind power.  Nature’s Harmony is also one of a few accommodation providers in Ontario to obtain an eco-certification accreditation.  Nature’s Harmony was recently selected as a finalist in the Sutainable Tourism category of the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.  The awards are being presented on October 23, 2012.  We don’t just talk ‘green’, we live ‘green’! 
  • Outdoor eco-showers are available to everyone.  Rain water is collected, heated passively by the sun or by fire, and gravity fed into the showers.
  • Outdoor composting toilet facilities are available.  Human waste is composted and used in the landscaping at Nature’s Harmony which completes the human nutrient cycle. 
  • Trail signage is on permanent posts to reduce the need for flagging tap.
  • Drinking water is provided from a natural spring.
  • Clearly marked bins are available for waste, recycling and composting.  Doggie bins are also available for doggie waste composting.
  • Local produce and meats are purchased from Holden’s Hide Away Farm for the post race meal.  Other local foods, are selected, where practical.  
  • All participants, guests and volunteers are asked to bring their own dishes & cutlery to eliminate the use of disposable products.  Dishes are washed by everyone individually using the outdoor sink facility with rain water. Biodegradeable soaps are provided for washing. 
  • Emedia Group prints the race bibs on a biodegradable material that is made of seeds.  After the race, participants can plant their bib and if they’re lucky it may bloom into a beautiful flower in the spring. 
  • Carpooling to the event is encouraged and can be facilitated through the Run Off-the-Grid Facebook page.
    • Composting Toilets
  • This event promotes local and environmentally friendly businesses.
  • As a way of supporting the local community, proceeds from this event are donated to the Mattawa Food Bank.
  • Sustainable Living and Off-the-Grid tours are available throughout the weekend.
  • Sustainable Travel International (STI) conducts a yearly carbon footprint assessment associated with participant vehicle travel to/from this event.  STI provides an estimate of the metric tonnes of carbon emissions produced and provides a cost to fully offset these emissions, through a recognized carbon offsetting program.  Proceeds from the event are used to purchase carbon offset credits based on STI’s calculations.
  • In 2012, we were honoured to speak at the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference to talk about the Run Off-the-Grid and how sport tourism can contirbute to the economic development and sustainability of the Mattawa Voyageur Country region.

We hope that the Run Off-the-Grid will become a model of best practices for coordinating a green event.