From 28 May to 8 June, adidas x Parley Run for the Oceans returns for a fourth year, continuing its commitment to urgently address the devastating levels of marine plastic pollution in the oceans.

Since 2015, adidas has made more than 30 million pairs of shoes with Parley Ocean Plastic – plastic waste intercepted on beaches and coastal communities, preventing it from polluting the oceans. But while progress has been made on the journey towards a more sustainable future, there is still work to be done in reducing marine plastic pollution.

Empowering runners worldwide to make a difference, for every kilometre walked or run between 28 May and 8 June on the adidas Running app, Adidas and Parley will clean up the equivalent weight of 10 plastic bottles, up to a maximum of 500,000 pounds of marine plastic waste from beaches, remote islands, and coastlines.

Alberto Uncini Manganelli, GM Running & Credibility Sports at adidas, said: “As a global brand, and as global citizens, we have a big role to play in conserving the oceans and our planet. It is our responsibility to use our platforms, products, and voices to not just raise awareness, but to put into effect real action. In just three decades, the world’s oceans could contain more discarded plastic than fish if we don’t act now – only by working together and uniting can we end plastic waste.”

To-date, adidas x Parley Run for the Oceans has united over 3 million runners around the world, collectively clocking up 25.5 million kilometres and raising $2.5 million to help Parley develop its initiatives and educational programmes in the fight against marine plastic pollution. By 2025, adidas aims to achieve a cumulative participation of 40 million people.

In 2019, 92 schools were enrolled in Parley’s educational programme and are now education hubs, as well as plastic interception points for the local community. As a result, 70,000 children and their families have participated in the programme.

Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and Founder of Parley, said: “More than a run or awareness campaign, Run for the Oceans has evolved into a powerful impact platform, one that inspires and empowers millions of people worldwide to unite around a common goal and support the oceans through sport, boosting the Parley movement through actual movement. And more than a partner, adidas has been a true ally, the family member we so urgently needed on our side to prove that industry can be the key that scales and accelerates solutions to the massive environmental problems we face. We believe that collaboration, creativity, and eco-innovation is the winning formula to save our oceans and end the global plastic crisis threatening the natural world, our own health and our future. Everyone who joins the run helps drive this vision forward.”

Download the free adidas Running app and join the Challenge today; then Run For The Oceans between 28 May and 8 June. For every kilometre tracked in the adidas Running app during this period, adidas will clean up the equivalent weight of 10 plastic bottles, up to a maximum of 500,000 pounds.

Follow the #adidasParley #RunForTheOceans Instagram conversation on @adidasZA or visit adidas.co.za for more information.

Images: Richard Johnson // rich@richardjohnsonphoto.com