Bearathon 2010: the nation’s first cup-free half-marathon

If raising funds for scholarships wasn’t enough, Student Foundation’s Bearathon, dubbed “The Toughest Half-Marathon in Texas” just took racing to the next level.

Introducing cup-free racing.

Student Foundation members had green fever, so they put their heads together and found a way to prevent more than 28,000 cups from littering the Bearathon course and Waco landfills. Instead, this year’s runners will each sport a complimentary HydraPouch. Created by Craig McSavaney, the silicone container will help runners keep their drink in them instead of on them. (See how it works here.) With a waistband clip and a squeeze-top that allows rapid filling, the HydraPouch is sure to be the hit of this year’s race.

But that’s not all. Student Foundation is also partnering with One World Running, a Colorado-based non-profit organization, that sends new or near-new running shoes to people in need nationally and around the world. A bin will be available at Bearathon for runners to leave their kicks and make an impact.

And we can’t forget to give a shout-out to the race’s co-sponsors, The Baylor Network and Baylor Sustainability, who are making use of the HydraPouch possible.

Sic ’em, Student Foundation!