Natural Trail Running: A challenge for the future

Promotion of sustainable marathons through regulations over good practices, leadership training and collaboration to reduce environmental impact.

Municipality

AR
San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy,

Category / Sub-Category / Topic

Environment, Environmental management

Type of investment needed

Grant

Associated SDGs

The challenge

The running races in San Salvador de Jujuy erode the soil and generate plastic waste that affects the biodiversity of the Yungas Forest, which harbors 40% of Argentina's biodiversity (PROYUNGAS).

The project

The initiative seeks to transform running and trail running races in San Salvador de Jujuy into sustainable events, promoting responsible practices that protect natural ecosystems. Through the creation of a regulatory body, best practice regulations, and the training of environmental sports leaders, the project involves runners, organizers, sponsors, and local communities to foster a cultural change towards sustainability. This comprehensive approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of these events, regenerate natural spaces and establish Jujuy as a benchmark in sustainable sports.

Main axes of the project:

  • Creation of the Regulatory Entity: Development of a multisectoral organization to oversee, regulate, and promote best practices in race organization, involving runners, sponsors, and local communities. This entity could more effectively address the root causes of the issue, fostering a cultural shift toward sustainability in sporting events.
  • Training of environmental sports leaders: Training of outstanding runners to become ambassadors of sustainability in sporting events.
  • Design and dissemination of the Good Practices Manual: Collaborative document that establishes guidelines for reducing waste, protecting biodiversity and restoring trails after races.

The project aims at a systemic change that promotes a more sustainable society, where sporting events are compatible with the preservation of the environment. This collaborative model not only improves the organization of local races, but can also be replicated in other sports disciplines and locations, broadening their positive impact.

The initiative is innovative for its comprehensive approach, combining technology, regulations, education and multi-sector collaboration. In addition, the participatory design process developed during the Local Innovators Program involved more than 25 key stakeholders, from racers to corporate sponsors, identifying practical and viable solutions. The creation of a Regulatory Body is a unique step in the sports field, positioning Jujuy as a leader in the organization of sustainable events.

Know more...


San Salvador de Jujuy, capital of the province of Jujuy in Argentina, is located in a privileged region for its biodiversity and natural landscapes. Located 1,260 meters above sea level, it combines the ecosystems of the Valleys and the Yungas, which represent 40% of the country's biodiversity in only 2% of its territory. With a population of 811,611 inhabitants (INDEC, Census 2022), the city stands out as an ideal destination for outdoor activities, including trail running, thanks to its unique natural environment and temperate climate. However, this environmental wealth is under threat due to unsustainable practices that compromise the health of its ecosystems.

The main problem is the negative environmental impact generated by running and trail running races organized in the region. These activities cause soil erosion, compaction, damage to vegetation, and contamination from plastic waste and non-biodegradable materials. In addition, the lack of adequate trail restoration intensifies these effects. The consequences go beyond environmental damage: they affect local biodiversity, alter the habitats of native species, and diminish the attractiveness of the landscapes for future sporting and tourism events, which negatively impacts the local economy and the quality of life of nearby communities.

Among the main causes of the problem are deficiencies in the management and regulations for the organization of these events, such as the lack of sustainability protocols, carbon footprint control and supervision during and after the races. There is also a low environmental awareness among the actors involved, from runners to sponsors, who perpetuate habits that are harmful to the environment, such as the use of disposable materials and the absence of regeneration policies.

Currently, the city has implemented some actions to address these problems, such as organizing clean-up and awareness campaigns. However, these initiatives lack a comprehensive approach and the active collaboration of all stakeholders.


  • Dissemination of the initiative and organization of meetings: 4 biweekly meetings with key stakeholders (organizers, sponsors and community) to raise awareness and align efforts towards a sustainable model.
  • Creation of the Regulatory Body: Creation of a multisectoral body in 4 months, made up of municipal representatives, trainers and sponsors, in charge of supervising and regulating races with a sustainable approach.
  • Design and validation of the Good Practices Manual with a sustainable approach: Collaborative development of a regulatory document in 3 months, with clear guidelines to minimize the environmental impact of races.
  • Creation of a registry of sponsoring companies: Identification and call for companies aligned with sustainability, generating a list of committed sponsors within 1 month.
  • Organization of meetings to establish priorities and action plan: Planning of joint actions between the Regulatory Body, sponsors and community in 4 biweekly meetings to implement sustainable measures.
  • Selection of runner ambassadors: Selection of 2 outstanding runners in 3 months to train them as environmental leaders and promoters of good practices in sporting events.
  • Design of content and communication campaigns: Development of an action plan together with the ambassadors to educate the community about sustainability in races, within 2 months.

Direct results:

  • 4 meetings organized with key actors for sensitization and alignment of efforts.
  • 1 Regulatory Body created and endorsed by the Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy.
  • 1 Good Practices Manual designed and validated for sustainable races.
  • 1 register of sponsoring companies created, with at least 10 companies identified and summoned.
  • 4 meetings were held to prioritize actions and design a joint action plan.
  • 2 runners selected and trained as environmental ambassadors.
  • 1 communication campaign plan designed in collaboration with the ambassadors.

Expected impact:

  • Reduce by 30% the generation of waste in races organized in the municipality by 2026.
  • Achieve that 70% of the running and trail running events that take place in the municipality apply the Good Practices Manual with a sustainable approach by 2027.


  • General Direction of Sports and Recreation of the Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy ( https://www.facebook.com/dirdedeportes/?locale=es_LA )
  • Organizing Group of Trail Running Races in San Salvador de Jujuy URKU ( ,https://www.instagram.com/urku.trailrunning/?hl=es )
  • Running Team Natural Entrenamiento y Salud (Instagram Natural E&S (@naturalentrenamientoysalud)

  • Ruben Federico Reyna, Owner and Trainer, Natural Entrenamiento y Salud (reynafede@gmail.com)
  • Adriana Díaz, Secretary of Planning and Environment, Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy (arqaddi@gmail.com)
  • María Jimena Jurado, General Director of Development, Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy (no email specified)
  • Verónica Pérez, Communication Coordinator, Secretariat of Planning and Environment, Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy (veroperezteatro@gmail.com)
  • Alejandro Galian Acuña, Lawyer Advisor, Secretariat of Planning and Environment, Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy (alejandrogalianestudio@gmail.com)
  • Juan José Weibel, Programs and Events Coordinator, Club de Emprendedores, Municipality of San Salvador de Jujuy (juanjoseweibel@gmail.com)
  • Melisa Ochoa, Participant, Natural Training and Health (melisaochoa1@gmail.com)
  • Ignacio T. Savio Graffigna, Participant, Natural Training and Health (saviograf.ignacio@gmail.com)

Investment

(*): In kind/pro bonus

(**): Financing

Goods and inputs
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Kit del corredor sustentable - Carrera modelo (*) (**)

u$s 10000.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 10000.00

Elementos de marcacion de la carrera reutilizables (*) (**)

u$s 185.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 185.00

Insumos para los puestos de hidratación (*) (**)

u$s 660.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 660.00

Medallas por Categorias y General (*) (**)

u$s 100.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 100.00

Medallas Finisher (*) (**)

u$s 2000.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 2000.00

Services
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Escenario y sonido (*) (**)

u$s 3885.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 3885.00

Hosting WEB + Domino 12 Meses página promoción carrera. (*) (**)

u$s 50.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 50.00

Servicio de Cronometraje con chip por participante (**)

u$s 2000.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 2000.00

Seguro contra terceros (*) (**)

u$s 1000.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1000.00

Emergencia ambulancia + 2 personal médico (*)

u$s 0.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 0.00

Espacio físico para realizar encuentros de trabajo (Coworking Club de Emprendedores) (*)

u$s 20000.00

u$s 20000.00

u$s 0.00

Producción de contenido para RRSS por embajador (8 publicaciones/mes) (*) (**)

u$s 1400.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1400.00

Formación Content Creator por embajador (4 sesiones/mes) (*) (**)

u$s 500.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 500.00

Human resources
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Staf Organizacion (**)

u$s 1500.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1500.00

Personas puestos de hidratación (*)

u$s 1000.00

u$s 1000.00

u$s 0.00

Staff para coordinar el armado de la guia y Ente regulador (**)

u$s 868.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 868.00

Redactor. Generacion del contenido gráfico (*) (**)

u$s 300.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 300.00

Staff pre-selección y selección de corredores. (2 personas) (**)

u$s 1800.00

u$s 0.00

u$s 1800.00

Others
Funds
Needed
Covered
Solicited

Asesoria Legal (*)

u$s 2000.00

u$s 2000.00

u$s 0.00

TOTAL AMOUNTS:

u$s 49248.00

u$s 23000.00

u$s 26248.00

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