Happy Planet Running

27/01/2025

Happy Planet Running kicks off 2025 at the RF Events Bigfoot Snowshoe Race!

Conditions were perfect for the annual Bigfoot Snowshoe Race at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City. Temps in the 20s and plenty of snow for the over 400 shoers doing the 5K, 10K, or one-mile thro…

17/12/2024

The full sustainability report for 2024. Another year to celebrate!

Another year in the books for Happy Planet Running! Since 2016 we have served over 250 events and diverted 45 tons of waste from the landfill, one small event at a time. Many thanks to our clients …

11/12/2024

Final Zero Waste event of the year for HPR: the RF Events Holiday Hustle in Dexter. What's more fun than sorting waste all day? Sorting waste AND running the half marathon, of course. And ending the year with another 99 percent diversion event!

This year’s Holiday Hustle was a bit chilly, with temps in the 30s and a breeze, but that didn’t stop hundreds of runners from coming out to run, and even dress up in fancy holiday costumes. No com…

01/12/2024

HPR helps with a 4,000 strong turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning, and we leave no trace!

It was a chilly morning in downtown Ann Arbor, but the Turkey Trot sold out, with over 4,000 people running the 5K or one-mile races. A quick snack, perhaps a visit to Santa, and then they’re outta…

11/11/2024

What's worth leaping for joy about? How about a turkey trot that turned out great after a rainy start, and with near zero waste, too!

October’s Ann Arbor Marathon was held on the first rainy day we’ve had in weeks. So, naturally, it showed up again at this month’s first turkey trot, at Hudson Mills Metropark. Fortunately, one of …

07/11/2024

What's better than a trail run followed by bonfires and beer? All that, plus Zero Waste, that's what!

Another great year for the Bonfyre Trail Fest. About 750 runners showed up for trail runs of 5(ish), 10(ish), and 18(ish) miles on the DTE Foundation Trails. It was a bit chilly in the morning, so …

20/10/2024

Cold and wet? No sweat! Rather lots of it, as the Ann Arbor Marathon went on as scheduled, and the Green Team was there to keep it all clean!

A wet, cold day in downtown Ann Arbor didn’t stop nearly 2,000 runners from showing up for our annual marathon, hosted by Epic Races. Whether they ran the full 26.2 or one of the shorter races, the…

09/10/2024

Who had the most fun at last Sunday's Running Fit - Scrumpy Skedaddle races? It's a coin flip (or pancake flip) between the runners, and the pigs!

“Food waste in the green bins, everything else in the clear bins!” Such was the mantra of the Green Team last Sunday at the Scrumpy Skedaddle at Almar Orchards. Why the separation? For the benefit …

26/09/2024

A spoooky start to this year's RF Events Dances With Dirt - Hell edition. But the Green Team was there to keep Hell clean. And what did we find in our collection boxes for the first time ever? Read on to find out!

Camp Bruin in Gregory was the setting for the 30th anniversary of Dances with Dirt – Hell Edition. In addition to the relay and 50K and 50-mile ultras, they added a 30K for the occasion. It was fog…

25/09/2024

The sun is back out! Time to wash the bins and dry the collected castoff shoes after Dances With Dirt last Saturday.Only 14 pairs this year, slackers! Still left to do: pack up 20 lbs. of Gu wrappers and ship them off to TerraCycle US for recycling!

19/09/2024

HPR returns to Belle Isle for the Epic Races Women Run the D. Did we have another great Zero Waste result? Bee-lieve it!

Women Run the D returned to Belle Isle this year on a beautiful morning for a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. The event spotlights women who have survived major health challenges, and it’s very much fa…

14/09/2024

RF Events gets its hippie on again with a great Run Woodstock weekend at Camp Bruin, including a new sustainability mark, as we recycled or composted nearly 96 percent of the waste!

Another great weekend for Run Woodstock! With races ranging from 5K to 100 miles, plus camping, live music, yoga, tie-dye, good food, and good vibes, there’s a way for everyone to get in touc…

08/09/2024

THAT'S A WRAP!! My Run Woodstock 2024 is in the books! One niece (Robin Jackson) successfully paced, one evening 5K run (which may or may not have been as nature intended) and another terrific Zero Waste result.

Thanks as always to the RF Events crew for their support and Head Goat Randy Step for making the choice to make his events sustainable!

25/08/2024

The last triathlon of the summer already! New location, same great Zero Waste result!

This year’s RF Events T-Rex Triathlon was the same, but different. The same is that it was the usual sprint triathlon or duathlon, the final of the yearly series. Different in that for the first ti…

15/08/2024

A beautiful morning, nice setting, live music and wine after the race. Sounds great for the runners! And busy for the Green Team. But we got it done!

Running Between the Vines at Sandhill Crane Vineyards is always a long day for Team Zero Waste, but it has its compensations. The event features half marathon, 5K, and 5-mile distances, and a sophi…

09/08/2024

A great morning for a trail run, and it being cupless, with very little waste, was a bonus!

by Green Team captain Liz Li It was a sunny day for this year’s RF Events The Legend trail run at Sleepy Hollow State Park. The weather was ideal for a run, with plenty of shade along the trail. Ru…

29/07/2024

A great result at the RF Events Pterodactyl Tri - but did our mascot hold up?

This year’s Pterodactyl Tri had good news and bad news for the Zero Waste team. The good news is the low amount of landfill – just under two pounds – and a smooth event, both for the athletes and t…

25/07/2024

Another crazy busy night for the Green Team at the RF Events Oberun 5K. But got 'er done with over 97 percent landfill diversion!

The 2024 RF Events Oberun 5K took place on a perfect evening for a short run with a long recovery with beer and good food. This was great for the athletes – and a lot of work for the Green Team. Bu…