In a bid to reduce waste, runners who participated in the Conwy Half Marathon in Wales, United Kingdom on Nov. 17 were told they could be disqualified if they drop any litter.

Face disqualification if found littering at marathon

According to BBC, the organisers said this was one of the measures taken to tackle plastic waste, a salient issue these days that has attracted the nation's attention as of late.

It was also reported that the runners were informed on the Run Wales website that they might be taken off the results if they were caught disposing of their rubbish outside of a water point or not with a marshal.

Prior to this, plastic bottles were seen littered on the street during the marathon in 2018:

Some 3,000 runners participated in the half marathon and the organisers have yet to provide an update if anyone had been disqualified.

Increasing efforts on reducing plastic waste at marathons

Separately, the London Marathon held earlier this year in May also came up with an innovative approach to keep runners hydrated while reducing plastic waste.

Instead of bottles of water, edible seaweed pods of water were given to over 40,000 runners.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwz6XLZHN9i/

These pods were also given out at Harrow Half Marathon too.

At Cardiff Half Marathon, 100 per cent recyclable plastic bottles and recycled paper were used for print advertising, and medals were made from recycled zinc.

Top photo from Run Wales/Facebook