2020 GAP Relay Presented by UPMC Health Plan Goes Greener, Offsetting Twice as Much Carbon as 2019

Pennsylvania Environmental Council purchased carbon offsets and water restoration credits for the event, helping to make the GAP Relay one of the greenest running events in the nation

PITTSBURGH – P3R has partnered with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) to offset the carbon footprint at this year’s GAP Relay presented by UPMC Health Plan. Working together, they were able to offset more than twice as much carbon as last year’s event, making the GAP Relay one of the greenest running events in the nation.

As the official sustainability partner of the GAP Relay, PEC worked with P3R to estimate the volume of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the live event. PEC then purchased carbon offsets and water restoration credits from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation equivalent to the total footprint of the event.

“Although the race is virtual this year, we chose to estimate impacts as if the event were being held in person,” said PEC Finance and Administration Coordinator Holly Bedford. “We also assumed a substantial projected increase with this year’s record registration of 125 teams. In effect, this means that we offset more than twice as much carbon as last year, though it’s likely the actual carbon footprint of the virtual race format is substantially smaller.”

The purchased carbon offsets and water restoration credits will fund clean energy and watershed restoration projects. They represent the equivalent of 21 homes' electricity use for the year, 26.8 passenger vehicles driven per year and 287 barrels of oil consumed.

“P3R is committed to hosting zero-waste events, and we continue to look for creative ways to achieve our sustainability goals,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO. “We are grateful to once again partner with PEC to ensure we do everything we can to reduce the GAP Relay’s carbon footprint and leave a positive impact in our community.”

This year’s Virtual GAP Relay presented by UPMC Health Plan challenges teams of 4, 6 or 8 to run the distance from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. Teams can split the 24 legs of the 150-mile relay however they choose and have from June 19 through August 14, 2020 to complete the event. An event record of 125 teams with runners from 33 states plus Germany and Canada are participating in this year’s race. The event has inspired runners to challenge their friends, family and running clubs to “race together while apart” and keep moving this summer despite cancelled in-person races.

Proceeds from this event will support the Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA), the non-profit organization supporting, improving and caring for the Great Allegheny Passage.
For more information or to register, visit www.gaptrailrelay.org.

About P3R
P3R is the engine behind Pittsburgh’s greatest races. We strive to inspire any and all to run with us. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R runs a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health and fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. Anyone and everyone is invited to #RUNwithP3R! Read more at: P3R.org

FACEBOOK: RUNwithP3R INSTAGRAM: RUNwithP3R TWITTER: @RUNwithP3R

About the Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA)

Founded in 1995, ATA is a coalition of seven trail organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland that is charged with promoting and enhancing the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile multiple use rail-trail system between Cumberland, MD and Pittsburgh, PA and the 52-mile Montour Trail, to provide a connection to the Pittsburgh International Airport. Completed in 2013, The Passage is now connected to the 184.5 mile C&O Canal Towpath in Cumberland and provides a non-motorized, nearly level trail system between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA. For more information on the Great Allegheny Passage and the Allegheny Trail Alliance, visit www.GAPtrail.org.

FACEBOOK: GAPtrail TWITTER: @gap_trail INSTAGRAM: gap_trail

About the Pennsylvania Environmental Council

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a statewide organization that brings people, government, and business together to find real world solutions for environmental challenges. These solutions bring about sustainable communities, protect our water resources, and address energy and climate issues. PEC was founded in 1970 and serves the entire state through offices in Luzerne, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and State College. For more information, visit www.pecpa.org.
FACEBOOK: PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil TWITTER: @pecpa INSTAGRAM: paenvironmentalcouncil