Ultramarathoner Timothy Olson attempts new record with adidas x Parley
April 23, 2021
adidas and its long-term eco innovation partner, Parley for the Oceans’, latest mission to address the far-reaching impact plastic waste is having on the earth’s water systems, will be a feat of endurance. To raise awareness of the issue and inspire people to take action – whether by reducing plastic consumption or actively removing it from nature – adidas Ultramarathon athlete and climate activist, Timothy Olson, will attempt to run the entire 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in record time.
The PCT is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail spanning from Mexico to Canada passing through California, Oregon and Washington. With the current record set at 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes, Olson will aim to run over 50 miles a day for 50 days. He will endure temperatures ranging from below freezing to above 30 degrees Celsius, experiencing weather conditions from all four seasons as the route takes him from mountains to the ocean and everything in between.
Olson, who describes himself as a ‘mindful mountain ultra runner, believes that “by being connected to the earth and living consciously and mindfully, we can create vibrations to inspire individual and collective steps to heal, care and nurture our environment and ourselves.”
“I think a lot of people don’t realize how bad the problem has gotten. My training takes me to some seriously remote places, and I’m always shocked to find plastic waste even in the smallest of corners,” he reflected.
“But what’s even more alarming is how plastic is now being found in glacier water at the tops of mountains thanks to microplastics which are carried there from rainwater. I want to use my PCT record attempt as a platform to help educate people about this new problem and inspire them to start making small steps towards the solution which can make a big difference - if we all work together."
People can follow Olson’s record-breaking attempt in June via @adidasterrex on Instagram.
adidas and Parley note that with 350 million tons of virgin plastic produced every year, plastics have now made their way into every part of earth’s ecosystems. From improperly discarded plastic waste to microplastics which migrate through rainwater, the material is polluting some of the most remote places on earth – from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. And with all plastic waste eventually making its way to the oceans, the actions people take in the mountains have an impact on the ocean, and vice versa – forming a cycle of plastic that reaches all corners of the planet.
“Through sport we are the solution to help end plastic waste. Together with Parley, we are on a mission for our oceans…[W]hen the stakes are high, we don’t back down. Everyone can help by taking care of the outdoors where they are and bring us one step closer to healthy, waste-free ecosystems,” adidas TERREX stated across a series of posts on its Instagram page.