Single-use plastic bottles are now banned by the city of Paris during walking races. On Sunday, the 20 KM of Paris Vredestein will experiment with a new system so that the 31,000 registered runners can nevertheless hydrate well during the refreshments.
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The measure had been in the air for several years and it was confirmed during the press conference for the 20 KM from Paris to the Eiffel Tower by Pierre Rabadan, the sports assistant. Gone are the tables full of water bottles where runners came to help themselves during refreshment points and were subsequently thrown on the road or in the bins placed along the route. Even if the bottles were all recovered afterwards as during the last editions of the 20 KM.
Setting up another system to ensure the hydration of the runners was the big challenge for this 46th edition. “We haven’t changed the route, we have had our fill of registrations, the partners follow us from year to year… Hydration of the runners is really the big new thing. It has to work, Paris City Hall is counting on us to be the test race” specifies Didier Eck, the president of the race.
Concretely, water ramps will be installed at the 4 refreshment points where runners will be able to fill recyclable cups. The organization has planned 200,000, including 100,000 loaned by Paris town hall. “Given the commitment and the cost that this represents, the Paris town hall is supporting us on the system. Next year the city will continue to support the small races but for our part we will have to do everything ourselves” continues Dider Eck.
All runners are therefore invited to come with their own container. “Runners must learn to come with their own water bottle, retractable cup or camel-bag (water bag worn on their back). There will be enough fountains to fill them quickly. Hydration is essential and it is important for ecology ».
A campaign will be launched among those registered to raise awareness of the issue and change morals.
The 20 KM of Paris will be followed live on France 3 Paris Ile-de-France on Sunday October 13 from 8:40 a.m. .
