A group of 25 elite runners, led by Tina Muir, will test refill stations at the California International Marathon (CIM). This initiative aims to reduce single-use waste while maintaining race pace. The runners will rely on HydraPak refill stations instead of traditional cups.

The experiment seeks to prove that refill stations are viable for elite runners. It will test whether runners can achieve fast times while minimizing waste. The stations will be open to all runners, but the cohort will depend on them. Scott Abbott, CIM's executive director, supports the initiative. Read more trail coverage.

If successful, this experiment could expand beyond 25 runners in future races. It could also inspire other marathons to adopt refill stations. The goal is to make sustainable practices a standard in marathons, reducing reliance on disposable cups. Related: NYC Marathon: Tips to Avoid Getting Peed On and Other Advice.

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.