What the Heck Is Plogging?
Jogging and Picking Up Trash Along the Trans Canada Trail with Eastbound Run Crew
This past June, on International Trails Day, a group of dedicated trail-lovers hit the Trail for a morning of “plogging” — participants came together along the Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail in Toronto for a trail clean up – while jogging!
Strengthening relationships thanks to Canada Running Series
As part of our partnership with Canada Running Series, we’ve teamed up with incredible local running clubs like Eastbound Run Crew to promote races taking place in major cities across Canada. As a way to give back to the Trail, Canada Running Series organized a plogging event last year (here’s a glimpse of last year’s event!) and this year, Eastbound Run Crew took the helm to organize a morning of plogging along the Trail. Trans Canada Trail staff members Carolyn Chenmeyer and Allison Miller attended the event.
Carolyn, Trans Canada Trail’s Coordinator, Annual Giving, recounts that “It was a beautiful day on the Martin Goodman Trail. Around a dozen of us picked up trash, and we collected a total of 39 pounds (18 kilos)! There were lots of smiles, with runners happy to take good care of a section of the Trans Canada Trail they use so often.”
Photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew
Cleaning up a Trail section along the lakeshore
The group started their run from the Eastbound Brewing Company – where they meet regularly for their run club – and headed out along Lakeshore Blvd E before ending up at Tommy Thompson Park, where they focused their cleaning efforts. Nicole Mickelow with Eastbound Run Crew says that they also cleaned up city streets en route. “We chose this route because we run it often, and we’re so grateful to have the Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail for training … especially in winter. It’s so nice to know that we always have a cleared trail nearby, year-round!”
Photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew
Enthusiastic and grateful passersby
Nicole says the group got enthusiastic feedback from walkers, cyclists and park-goers. “My favourite part about the plogging event was the reaction from both the runners that came out and the community members who saw us cleaning up along the way. The crew was truly excited to get out there and give a little something back, and we had several cyclists and drivers thank us and give us shoutouts. It was a joyous event, and we hope it sparked a little inspiration for others, too!”
Allison, Trans Canada Trail’s Manager, Donor Relations and Stewardship, adds that the Eastbound Run Crew was “a very engaged group and big fans of the Trans Canada Trail, which was great to hear! It was so nice to connect with them – and we’re so grateful for the work they do giving back.”
Photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew
A place for community
For Nicole and the rest of the Eastbound Run Crew, events like the plogging event in June help boost a sense of shared ownership for a Trail that the group values so much. “Events like this are truly aligned with what we want our run crew to be: a place for community! Getting out there together as a group, weaving in running and giving back – it was a perfect fit. And a great way to kick off a weekend considering that it was an easy excuse for post-plogging brunch together too!” she says.
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Explore the Waterfront Trail – Martin Goodman Trail on our interactive map.
Main photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew
