Do you know the phrase "DO YOU KYOTO?"
This is the message we are transmitting from Kyoto to the world. Meaning "Are you taking actions to save the environment?", it was created in the wake of the Kyoto Protocol (an international treaty adopted at COP3, the third session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which was held at the Kyoto International Conference Hall in 1997, effective from February 16, 2005).
The name of the city is now widely known as the birthplace of the Kyoto Protocol and is frequently associated with environmental matters. Now, the word "KYOTO" is being used worldwide to denote something more than the name of a city -- "doing something good for the environment."
The year 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kyoto Marathon will be held again this year under the main concept of "DO YOU KYOTO? Marathon," denoting many different aspects of consideration for the environment.
Major initiatives
Water points using tap water
At water stations, tap water is provided in paper cups.
Kyoto's tap water meets the world's highest standards.
Supplying water in "my bottles"
At all water points, we will supply water for those runners who prefer to carry their own bottles.
Carbon offsetting
Using the city's "DO YOU KYOTO? Credits," we will try to offset the carbon emissions inevitably caused by the event from such things as the use of electricity at the event sites or the combustion of waste. By doing so, we aim to realize a marathon event with, effectively, zero carbon emissions.
* Carbon offsetting is a method of compensating for emissions which are generated even after doing what we can do to reduce emissions in our daily living and economic activities, by investing in emissions reduction activities which will balance them.
"Eco event" registration by Kyoto City
Kyoto City officially recognizes and registers "Eco Events," which promote and implement all of the "five points for making events more eco-friendly." Ever since the first event, all Kyoto Marathon events have aimed at eco-friendly organizations and have been officially recognized as "Eco Events."
CAR FREE DAY
The city will designate the day of the event (February 19, Sunday) as "CAR FREE DAY" and call for use of public transport instead of private cars.
* Under its landscape policy, the city of Kyoto has few multi-level crossings on streets, and many of its residents work within the city.If people from within and outside of the city use cars as usual during several hours of city-wide traffic control, large-scale traffic jams are likely to occur. Therefore, to ensure smooth traffic flow for emergency vehicles and transit buses and to minimize impact on civic life, we seek your kind cooperation in avoiding use of private cars on the day of the event.
Paperless event using minimal number of printouts
The event will minimize the use of paper, for example, by making finisher records searchable online instead of using prints (saving about 192,000 sheets of A4 paper).
Collection of cold-weather wear and volunteer wear at the starting point and elsewhere for reuse
To stay warm before the race starts, we ask runners to bring or wear old sweaters, jackets, etc. that they no longer need. We will collect and reuse or recycle any of these garments that they may take off at the starting point or along the course. Additionally, we will collect and reuse or recycle unneeded official volunteer clothing after the event.
The MIRAI hydrogen car
CO2-free hydrogen fuel cell MIRAI vehicles will join the motorcade.
Reusable garbage bins
Some 450 reusable garbage bins will be set up at water stations.
Donations to food banks
To minimize food waste, we will donate any unused items at water/food stations to food banks*.
* Organizations or campaigns that receive from businesses donations of any food that is to be thrown out, but still fit for consumption, and then donate such food to social welfare facilities.
The inaugural Kyoto Marathon took place on March 11, 2012, marking the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. With prayers for the lost lives and wishes for reconstruction in mind, more than 500,000 people, including runners from within and outside of Japan, organizing staff, volunteers, and supporters cheering along the course, united to deliver a strong message in support of reconstruction efforts: to give "energy from Kyoto through sport." Kyoto Marathon 2017 will once again provide support for reconstruction efforts and not leave the suffering communities to walk alone.
The event in 2017 will also include programs to support the people and regions affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake, which took place in April 2016, such as the collection of relief donations.
Major initiatives
Recovery Support Quota for quake-affected runners
A special-priority Recovery Support Quota with free entry will be available for runners who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (for 200 marathon runners and 60 Pair-Ekiden runners in 30 pairs). We will ask each of those runners to wear, on a voluntary basis, a purple ribbon on either a shoulder or on the chest, to encourage warm support from spectators and fellow runners. (Ribbons will be available at the runner check-in point.)
Donations
We will collect voluntary donations (JPY500 per share) from runners with their entry fees plus donations at the event site, and will send the collected money to the affected regions.
Kyoto Marathon 2016 produced donations totaling JPY8,914,449 for the affected regions.
At the event in 2017, we will also collect donations for the regions affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake.
Race bib with inspirational message
Runners will wear bibs carrying messages supporting reconstruction such as "Never forget 3.11," "What I can do now" and "Go forwad step by step."
Moment of silence
Before the races start, all participants will observe a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake as well as to express their support for reconstruction efforts.
Assistance activities at
Okoshiyasu Welcome Square, etc.
Activities for assistance for reconstruction efforts will be held on February 17 (Fri.) and 18 (Sat.) in the Okoshiyasu Welcome Square at the runner check-in point.
Tie-ups with half marathons in the three disaster-affected prefectures
From among the runners who are residents of Kyoto City, three each (nine in total) will be chosen by lottery to participate in one of three marathons: the Sendai International Half Marathon (Miyagi Prefecture, May 14, 2017), the Ichinoseki International Half Marathon (Iwate Prefecture, September 2017 [provisional]), and the Aizu Wakamatsu City Tsuruga-jo Castle Half Marathon (Fukushima Prefecture, October 1, 2017).
