Ecotrail Wicklow has again partnered with the Wicklow/Dublin uplands environmental initiative, Pure.
The trail running event happening on September 30th out of Bray Seafront, is committed to minimise its environmental impact with action such as no single use plastic, sorting litter or promoting public transport to participants.
The partnership between EcoTrail Wicklow and Pure is a major initiative that helps the event to look after the uplands and the various routes used on race day. The objective is to collaborate with Pure on litter picks and cleanups along the various trails used for EcoTrail Wicklow from Bray Seafront to Bray Head, Belmont, Sugarloaf, the Wicklow Way and all the way to Roundwood.
Pure (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments) is an environmental project established to combat illegal dumping/fly-tipping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands. It is a partnership project and the first of its kind in Ireland which incorporates statutory and non-statutory organisations, including Wicklow County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Coillte, National Parks & Wildlife Service, and the Wicklow Uplands Council.
Funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Pure was established to combat illegal dumping/fly-tipping in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands and was officially launched in September 2006.
Ian Davis, Pure Director, commented: ‘Pure are delighted to be working with Wicklow Tourism and the Ecotrail Team. It’s extremely important that both participants and spectators see the county of Wicklow, pure, clean, and pristine, the way it should be, and this collaboration will ensure that there is no unsightly litter or dumping tarnishing the ‘Garden of Ireland’.
Cllr Aoife Flynn-Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council and Bray resident stated: “The partnership between Pure and EcoTrail Wicklow is a fantastic opportunity to help Bray and Wicklow to look their best as we welcome trail runners from all over the world. EcoTrail Wicklow is a fantastic ‘brochure’ showcasing the fantastic playground that is Wicklow for outdoor activities.”
Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council added: “With Failte Ireland’s support, EcoTrail is attracting participants from all over the world. Our event is proving to be a fantastic promotional for County Wicklow. With Ireland’s mild climate, especially on the East Coast, our trails can be enjoyed throughout the year to walk and run on”.
Ecotrail Wicklow starts and finishes in Bray and has four races with distances of 19km, 30km, 46km and 80km races. Each route will take in some of Wicklow’s most scenic locations including Bray Head, Belmont Estate, The Little and Big Sugarloaf, Lough Tay and Vartry Reservoir.
For further info on EcoTrail Wicklow, please go to http://wicklow.ecotrail.com
