A video captured at last week’s Chicago Marathon is raising questions about runner behaviour and race-day waste. The footage shows several runners urinating on the side of the road, directly on top of piles of discarded layers, prompting concerns that some big-city races have become out of control.
The Instagram user jokingly titled the post: “Welcome to the world-famous Chicago Pee-athon.”
So who is to blame? The participants who discarded their layers on the ground (instead of in donation bins), the runners who urinated on them (instead of moving them aside or choosing a different pee spot) or the race organizers for not making donation drops or portable toilets more accessible?
Tons of clothing donations
It’s common for runners to discard clothing at the start of large races, and most marathons have systems in place to collect and donate the items to charity. In 2024, the Chicago Marathon collected 54,500 lb. of clothing from the start line and donated to the Illinois AMVETS and the Salvation Army–more than one pound per finisher.
Typically, races start up again in early fall, when temperatures are below 15 C. A video shared from the Manchester Half Marathon in early October highlighted just how many layers are tossed aside on the start line.
Marathons typically provide donation bins along the walk to the start line, and since many runners keep clothing on until the last minute, there are usually bags available in the corrals for dropping their layers. Participants are generally instructed to use these systems rather than leaving clothes on the ground.
But crowded corrals, pre-race stress and limited bathroom access make it difficult to follow these instructions. With 53,000 runners but far fewer portable toilets in Chicago, it’s inevitable that some participants will look for alternatives. It is unknown whether the urinated-on clothing will still be donated; Canadian Running reached out to the Chicago Marathon for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Environmental concerns
Waste management remains a challenge for most large races beyond clothing. Some events now offer a green bib option, allowing participants to donate a part of their entry fee in lieu of receiving a T-shirt and medal.
Single-use paper or plastic cups at hydration stations are another huge concern, but some races are taking steps to address this. At the 2026 Paris Marathon, there will be no paper or plastic cups offered at hydration stations, and runners will be required to carry their own hydration container to refill at each hydration station–a system already popular in trail racing. One American runner and entrepreneur has even made her job to reduce waste, creating a reusable cup rental business, Hiccup Earth, to address the volume of waste generated during races.
