Ecology
Who doesn't get lazy, gets green - we're serious about sustainability. Nature is an integral part of our races. We run in the fresh air, largely on soft surfaces, whether surrounded by deep forests, meadows or other beautiful scenery. We strive to care for nature in the same way as we care for our racers, and therefore with the utmost care and respect. Nevertheless, we keep our feet firmly on the ground and know that staging a cross-country race cannot be done entirely without impact on the planet. This makes us all the more motivated to organise the Behaj lesmi series responsibly, with as little impact on the environment as possible. We care about forests and we know that the best running is in a well-kept forest, where you can see in all directions and nothing surprises you from the thicket.
Accept the invitation and take a peek behind the scenes of our ecological activities!
Each forest partner can sort
In the backstage area of each race you will find bins that play with all colours. Let's take a closer look at them.
► What happens next with sorted waste?
Bags of sorted waste are loaded TOGETHER onto a truck and taken to a sorting station where the staff are able to partially or fully recycle the WELL-SORTED bags, or the rubbish in the bags. Poorly sorted bags cannot be recycled, so please: Sort according to your knowledge and conscience. Properly sorted waste is the alpha and omega for its subsequent recycling, otherwise recycling may not be possible.
► Kolik odpadu jsme už společnými silami na Běhej lesy vytřídili?
In the 2024 season we sorted a total of 4 200 kg of waste, including 560 kg of BIO waste.
In the 2023 season we sorted a total of 4 181 kg of waste, including 315 kg of BIO waste.
In 2022, we sorted a total of 3 835 kg of waste, including 240 kg of organic waste..
Waste sorting
You've already heard from us that we sort waste, which is then recycled. But we know that sorting is only the first step. The second, equally important, is making tangible things from recycled materials. What have we 'grown' in the forest so far?
MEDALS
The new participant medals for the 2025 season not only have a new design with the landmarks of each race, but most importantly they are largely biodegradable and their entire life cycle has a low carbon footprint. The medals are made from oPET as part of the I almost kill a whale project. Each medal made from oPET means 2 PET bottles taken from the polluted ocean, desalinated, dried, sorted and then turned into 3D printing filament. Your medal is then 3D printed from this 100% pure oPET - ocean waste plastic.
DIPLOMAS
The diplomas for the 2025 season are made from the same material as the participant medals - oPET. This makes the diplomas not only eco-friendly, but also linked to a tangible contribution to the protection of our oceans. Each diploma therefore symbolizes your participation in line with sustainability and environmental responsibility.
WINNERS' PODIUMS MADE OF RECYCLED PLASTIC
- Ingredients: the plates are made from used plastic from large production lines - from refrigerators to leftovers from 3D printing. For more information on the material used, visit plasticguys.cz.
- Thanks to the skilled hands at Plastic Guys for the production.
We use the podium over and over again, will you stand on it one day?
TTHRIFTY ROUTE MARKING
- For a long time now we don't use ordinary "milk" (route marking tapes). In fact, we are coming up with more environmentally friendly route marking.
- The markings are made of Solubag material, which, according to the manufacturer, should decompose in nature within 180 days under normal conditions in Slovakia. It is a specially treated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is made from natural sources and is completely non-toxic, including the printing.
- The collection of the markings after the race may not take place immediately, but within a week. Our colleagues go through all the routes after the race and collect the markings, but it may happen that they forget a piece. In that case, fortunately, the markings will dismantle themselves very quickly.
- Marking consumption: approximately 10 km per season.
- We try to be economical with the material, but we also make sure to mark the trails well so you don't get lost anywhere. That's why we use arrows made of oPET material in obscure places, which are more visible.
- Marking as such is really economical and in Slovakia particularly revolutionary. In this case, too, it is true that where the forest is cut down, splinters fly. We make no secret of the fact that the markings come from Chile or China and travel to us by air. We know that it is an ecological stain and we hope that, in time, we will remove it completely.
Recycled and sustainable materials
The connection between the Behaj lesmi series and its founding partner, Forests SR, has a much deeper meaning than it might seem at first glance. Each runner contributes to the planting of a tree in selected locations. As a result, new generations of forests are being created that will forever be linked not only to our race series, but above all to your energy and commitment.
By taking part in the Behaj lesmi race, you are not only supporting your fitness, but also the idea of responsibility towards nature and the future of our forests.
Tree planting
No more disposable cups in the forest! Up to 172,000 disposable cups have been consumed at refreshment stations, on the course and in the backcountry of the Behaj lesmi in the past, so we have replaced them with Speedcups in 2020.
SPEEDCUP - partner directly to the race
- Material: thermoplastic polyurethane
- Weight: 10 g (can also be "shrunk" into a pocket or hung on a loop)
- Place of production: China (they are always made for the whole season at once, but this year we will use last year's)
- Why is it organic? You just need one that you can use over and over again. For example, a lifetime.
- If you don't already have one, you can buy one straight when you register for the race via SportID or buy one on the spot.
Water Barrels
- In our forest and refreshment stations, you won't get thirsty from plastic or paper cups, but from large barrels filled with water. From these you can draw and refill as much water as you want. During the race, we'll pump it for you so that you stay as little as possible.
- You can use your Speedcup or your own container.
You can use your Speedcup or your own container.
As many as 172,000 disposable cups have been used at refreshment stations, on the course and in the backstretch of Run Through the Woods races in the past, which means that with each successive season with SPEEDCUP, water barrels and returnable cups, we save thousands and thousands of those disposable ones. We're happy to be able to refresh every racer, while not flooding the forest with cups. Thank you to the Forest Pack for going the extra mile for us.
Thanks to SPEEDCUP and water barrels, we have been able to eliminate the problem of disposable cups at the refreshment stations on the course and in the backstretch. The exception may be the refreshment stations for children, for whom we want to make the service a bit easier.
We also always have spare cups on hand, for example for you if you forget your SPEEDCUP or other container and need a quick drink!
Refresh yourself again and again without disposable cups
No more papers. Just your smartphone!
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We love trees, we save paper. And you can come with us.
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Starting in 2020, we're not printing any disposable brochures, flyers or locker room tickets. Tear everything right off your starting number. You can read the brochure by scanning the QR code on your phone.
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Don't worry too much about printing out the registration QR code email, just show us the confirmation on your phone.
Digitazing
Hearing this for the first time?
- The Earth's climate is changing, and this is linked to rising emissions of so-called anthropogenic greenhouse gases. We can calculate the emissions of different greenhouse gases according to their impact on carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Read more about the carbon footprint at spp.sk
How can you minimise your carbon footprint as part of Behaj lesmi?
- Do you travel to races by car? Do you have a free place? Check out the Facebook event and offer a place to a colleague or in turn join someone. We always encourage this activity ourselves in the events before the race. At the very least, you'll meet someone with the same interest and you may become new training partners.
- Give yourself a warm up on the bike. Combined with the train, this is a very fast and inexpensive mode of transportation. Plus, you'll get a nice warm-up after the ride. We always have bike storage on site, so your little one will be safe.
- Don't print unnecessary paperwork, just keep everything on your phone.
Minimising your carbon footprint
We also bring the ideas of sustainability and ecology to the regions where the Behaj lesmi races take place. We are therefore actively looking for opportunities where we and our partner Dr. Max Pharmacies can help to make a difference and take the local area one step further.
Support for the municipality of Čičmany
As part of the Čičmany race in the 2022 season, we presented a cheque worth €12,600 from Behaj lesmi and main partner Dr. Max to the mayor of the village, Mrs. Iveta Michaliková. The funds were used by Čičmany to support public lighting and thus indirectly to preserve the cultural heritage of this world-famous village.
Support for the city of Ružomberok
A cheque worth 13,000 euros was received in the 2023 season from the representative of Dr. Max pharmacies Jaroslav Kyper (Chief of Operations) and the representative of Behaj lesmi Pavel Krupička by Mr. Ing. Róbert Kolár, who is the deputy mayor of Ružomberok. In 2023 and 2024 we jointly implemented a project of planting greenery in one of the most polluted cities in Slovakia - Ružomberok. We believe that with this step the city has moved a little further!
