Run for your lives
Air pollution kills. Running saves.
When
Tuesday 6 November 7:00
Where
Hősök emlékköve, Budapest, Hungary
What is this about?
Nearly 20 000 people across Europe and beyond died prematurely in 2015 due to coal pollution from EU coal plants.
This time lapse animation shows the movement of PM2.5 air pollution from the EU’s coal plants across Europe, with one frame shown per hour, every hour, all year.
For the better part of the last two years, Bankwatch has made it its business to highlight this devastation.
In the Balkan region, we’ve demonstrated the connection between burning coal and air pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Romania and Bulgaria. We have witnessed an increase in awareness about this link and growing community opposition, even some local authorities are shifting the blame on the power plant and its facilities, rather than to traffic, which is the preferred scapegoat.
We want to build on this experience through further independent air pollution monitoring in the Balkans in order to strengthen the opposition to new coal capacities and to poorly enforced air pollution current measures.
Why is this race important?
As part of our Balkan coal work next year we may receive funding to organise a series of visibility and outreach activities that will involve running races near coal plants and mines in order to do real-time, self exposure monitoring and raise awareness about the problems of air pollution in the region. This means we will also expand outside our traditional target groups and engage the outdoors sports community.
We plan to organise 10k/ 20k/50k running races, supporting Air Quality legislation in the region. Some of the runners would be equipped with AirBeams, and thus send real-time data to the AirCasting online platform, and use the LiteBeams – fluorescent devices to alert passers-by about PM 2.5 levels.
These races are an opportunity to expand our target audiences and explore innovate methods for placing this topic higher on the political agenda.
Location
The race will take place in Budapest’s Városliget city park. The paved course will be one loop of five kilometres, with visible markings that will be announced closer to the date. You can view the course route here.
Prizes
Each finisher will receive a certificate and a special beer brewed specifically for the race by Prague’s smallest and most reclusive brewery.
FAQs
Do I have to?
No, participation is entirely optional.
Does it cost anything?
We are suggesting a donation of five euros to help with the costs, and anything over and above will be donated back to Bankwatchers in the form of a party fund.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Refreshments will be provided at the finish line. Running shoes are encouraged but not mandatory. Warm, synthetic sports clothing is advisable.
Is it dangerous to run without prior training?
With a little bit of training, anyone can get ready in just four weeks, check out the following plan for inspiration.
Will the race still take place if the weather is bad?
Rain or shine, or smog, we will run.
What should I do if I have any other questions?
Get in touch David or Ioana.
Register
You can register your participation here.
Registration is open until Friday 2 November. Participants can collect their race numbers the evening before the race 5 November between 19-21h CET at the hotel.
