Cupless Marathons Gain Momentum in Major Races — image accompanying Believe in the Run's report. Image accompanying Believe in the Run’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Marathons are shifting away from disposable cups, reducing waste. Paris Marathon led the way by offering refill stations instead of cups. Runners refilled their reusable cups, reducing plastic waste.
The Chicago Marathon followed suit, introducing four refill stations. This change aims to make marathons greener. However, not all runners may adopt this method, especially those aiming for PRs. Read more gear coverage.
HydraPak's study and the Paris Marathon experience showed mixed results. While some runners found it smooth, others needed more education on self-filling. The New York City Marathon plans to add refill stations, continuing this trend. Related: Adidas Dominates Chicago Marathon with Super Shoes.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Believe in the Run. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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Questions about this report
What should runners know about Cupless Marathons Gain Momentum in Major Races?
Cupless marathons are becoming more common, with Paris and Chicago leading the way. Marathons are shifting away from disposable cups, reducing waste. Paris Marathon led the way by offering refill stations instead of cups. Runners refilled their reusable cups, reducing plastic waste.
When did Runner World publish this gear brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 15, 2026. The underlying Believe in the Run report was dated October 15, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Believe in the Run. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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