The revolution will not be televised
We want the Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon to live forever. Our sport requires clean air to breathe and pristine water in which to swim, welcoming communities, and happy participants. With growing awareness of our impact on this earth, the Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon has made a commitment to produce a responsible race.

In 2007 we built this event from the ground up to include sustainability in all aspects of planning. Our environmental footprint was small, but we can always do better.

Help us with our efforts!

  • Resport certification: The 2008 Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon achieved Silver Certification as a more sustainable athletic event by the Council for Responsible Sport, a non-profit organization founded in 2007 to administer a sustainability standard for athletic events. To earn this distinction, the Portland Tri met standards of environmental and social responsibility. In 2010 we aim to improve our rating.
All greenhouse gas emissions resulting from participant travel offset through a partnership with The Climate Trust
Strong, durable bike racks made from kiln-dried bamboo poles and surplus steel
Living finish line, by artist Aaron Loveitt, planted with native seedums from Echo Valley Natives nursery
Custom bib numbers made by Recycle Racing from recyclable #5 plastic and printed with vegetable-based inks
Unique trophies made by a local artist from local materials
Take MAX or the bus (with your bike)!
Incentives for travel by bike or public transportation
Bamboo race shirts woven with moisture-wicking charcoal for all participants, and organic cotton shirts for all volunteers
Body marking by Portland Society for Calligraphy with non-toxic, skin-friendly markers
Reuseable, recycled CleanStream bags from The Freshwater Trust for the goody bags
Medical care includes naturopathic medical tent
Locally sourced and organic food and drink
Renewable solar power from the City of Portland
Composting of all food waste, including biodegradable trash bags
Extensive recycling to divert trash from the landfill
The 2009 Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon became the first race in the country to use swim caps made out of old swim caps. The result of a special project at Nike, the silicone caps contain 80% recycled content and have excellent strength and durability.
Age group awards made by volunteers from recycled materials. Used bike tubes and cogs are cleaned and donated by the Community Cycling Center, then taken to Nike for assembly. Nike laser-etches the tubes and stitches the cogs in place.

If you would like to support the Community Cycling Center or thank them for supporting you, please consider making a donation.

 
 
You will not be able to stay home, brother.
You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out.
You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip,
Skip out for beer during commercials,
Because the revolution will not be televised.

--Gil Scott-Heron, 1974