Headline sponsors of the Portsmouth Marathon 2024!

TJ Waste is the headline sponsor for the Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon 2024, which is taking place on Sunday 22 December. This sponsorship involves many elements and sees our team providing a range of support.

This is the seventh year that we’ve sponsored the event. There are many things that we, as headline sponsor, do in the lead-up to the event as well as on the day:

• We provide a complete waste management service on the day, free of charge. This includes the provision of a number of eurobins for collecting rubbish at various points around the route and at the start and end point.
  
• All waste produced at the event will be picked up by volunteers along the route and returned to Castle Field where we will have a number of eurobins. This ensures that any waste generated throughout the event is captured, minimising littering and pollution. The bins will be delivered to the site the day before the event to ensure that they are located in the optimal positions ahead of time. 
  
• TJ volunteers will man one of the aid stations, distributing much-needed drinks and refreshments to runners as they pass at 6 miles and 20 miles.
  
• A TJ van and driver will also be present to empty the bins, with the waste being transported back to TJ’s Materials Recovery Facility in Portsmouth for sorting and recycling. As much as possible will be recycled or reused in line with our policy to divert all that we can from landfill.
  
• We provide banners and flags at Southsea Castle to help signpost everything. 
  
• We’ve also made a monetary donation to the event.

The event consists of the full marathon, a festive half marathon and Santa-themed 5k and 10k races. Fundraising is an important part of the event and this year the organisers have donated 30 places to six different local charities so that money can be raised through the runners. The chosen charities are:

• Pompey in the Community
• Portsmouth Hospitals Charity
• Rowans
• Sophie’s Legacy
• The Elizabeth Foundation
• Tonic Music

TJ’s Managing Director, John Gosling, will be running the marathon for the eighth time this year. Operations Director, Jamie Higgins, will be running the half marathon with his son, Conor, who decided to participate as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

Jamie said: “It’s Conor’s first half marathon and he started training in September so he should be well prepared. He’s looking forward to the challenge but knows it’s going to be tough!”

The marathon, which was established in 2009, is organised by Portsmouth Marathons Ltd and supported by Believe and Achieve Events Ltd, who specialise in organising running, cycling and kayaking events in the Portsmouth area. This year’s marathon will take in the new coastal path from Milton Lock through to the top of the Eastern Road.

To any non-runners, why not come down to Portsmouth on the day to support those taking part? Food stalls and refreshment stands will be open on Castle Field to keep you going and there’s sure to be a fun, festive atmosphere!

TJ’s MD John Gosling said: “It’s a fitting end to the year; a very well organised running festival for runners of all abilities, all run and supported with plenty of Christmas cheer, comradery and fun. A mix of roads, trails, paths and beaches to traverse, with – as always – unpredictable weather and wind direction!”

Find out more about TJ Waste’s services and other community events we get involved with…