Our aim is to deliver a high-quality regional event while reducing waste, supporting the host community and keeping more of the event’s economic benefit in the Toowoomba Region.

Purpose

This policy sets out the practical steps used by Events Management Queensland to improve the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Running Festival. It applies to event planning, procurement, participant communications and race-week delivery.

Our commitments

1. Use fewer materials and avoid unnecessary waste

• Reduce printed participant information and use digital channels for event guides, updates, maps and FAQs wherever practical.
• Reuse event signage, course equipment and other infrastructure across future editions where condition, branding and safety requirements allow.
• Review purchasing quantities carefully so products and consumables are matched as closely as possible to participant demand.

2. Make responsible choices about participant products

• The festival does not provide a standard finisher shirt. At the event’s current participation level, minimum production quantities and uncertain demand across multiple sizes would create a high risk of surplus stock and unnecessary fabric waste. This decision is reviewed as the event grows and as lower-waste supply options become available.

3. Recover and donate usable items

• Donate suitable surplus recovery food to a local homeless shelter, subject to food-safety, storage and transport requirements.
• Collect clothing discarded at the start line and donate suitable items to charity rather than sending them to general waste.

4. Encourage active travel

• Event communications encourage participants, volunteers and spectators to walk or cycle to the event precinct where it is safe and practical. Active travel supports the purpose of the festival while reducing short vehicle trips and pressure around the event site.

5. Support the Toowoomba community and economy

• Use local suppliers and service providers wherever practical, helping event expenditure remain within the Toowoomba Region and building local event-delivery capability.
• Plan courses, road closures and community communications in consultation with Council, transport agencies, residents and businesses to reduce disruption while maintaining a safe race experience.

6. Improve performance over time

• The festival reviews participant feedback, supplier performance, waste practices and community impacts after each event. Improvements are prioritised according to their practical benefit, affordability and relevance to a regional road-running event.

World Athletics alignment

The festival is working towards progressively aligning its planning, delivery and reporting with the World Athletics Sustainability Strategy and the Athletics for a Better World Standard. This includes considering environmental impact, procurement, waste, food and water, travel, accessibility, community benefit and governance when future improvements are planned.

This is an improvement commitment and does not represent current certification under the Athletics for a Better World Standard.

Responsibility and review

Events Management Queensland is responsible for applying this policy through event planning and supplier engagement. The policy will be reviewed annually and updated as new information, technology, supplier options and recognised event-sustainability guidance become available.

 

Questions or feedback? email info@toowoombarunningfestival.com.au

Last updated October 2025.