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Tom Griffin
Race jump-starts first Virginia Green event
The Commonwealth’s first certified Virginia Green event will kickoff March 15 in Virginia Beach as runners cross the start line in the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon. The event includes full and half marathons and an eight-kilometer race. Virginia Green seeks to reduce the environmental effects of the tourism industry through voluntary efforts and raise environmental awareness. It is a partnership program among DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. Organizers of the marathon had to certify that they would recycle and reduce waste to be considered a certified Virginia Green event.
In addition, a group of runners with the Virginia Beach Green Team will be participating in the 8K race to promote Virginia Green. The team consists of representatives from businesses that are participating in the voluntary Virginia Green program. They are encouraging 20 restaurants, 12 hotels and one attraction in the Virginia Beach area to join Virginia Green voluntarily by Earth Day on April 22. Currently there are five restaurants, six hotels and one convention center that are members of the Virginia Green network.
More information on Virginia Green is available on DEQ website.