HydraPak Continues Leadership in Race Waste Reduction by Commissioning Study Confirming the Efficacy of Refillable Cup Systems

August 20, 2025

Renowned crowd scientist Marcel Altenburg delivers study concluding that marathons that use refillable, self-serve systems reduce waste and labor without compromising runner efficiency

Oakland, CA (August 20, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Deepening their commitment to sustainability, HydraPak, the global leader in performance hydration, commissioned Marcel Altenburg MSC MA, a renowned crowd dynamics expert, to conduct a first-of-its-kind aid station logistics and racer flow analysis. The study focused on comparing the efficiency of HydraPak’s Sustainable Racing program versus traditional disposable cup based races. The findings revealed that Sustainable Racing maintains aid station flow with fewer volunteers.

Using data from the 2024 and 2025 La Jolla Half Marathons, Altenburg drew from decades of experience researching the world’s largest endurance events to compile the report. La Jolla Half Marathon utilized WaterMonster™ and the accompanying manifold kits with UltraSpout Dispensers, HydraPak SpeedFill Pitchers for refilling electrolyte-infused water, and HydraPak

SpeedCups™. Using Start Right, the crowd simulation software trusted by the World Marathon Majors, Altenburg tracked and analyzed real-time flow rates using timing mat data with 99.9% accuracy.

“If you can estimate your total racers, you can plan aid stations—and now we have the numbers to prove it,” states Altenburg. “Through sustainable racing, you solve 90% of aid station problems, from staffing to runners waiting for a cup of water. If you have enough UltraSpouts, racers will never have to wait again.”
The report offers a precise planning guidance formula for events of all sizes, and provides the following data-backed insights:

• 4.2 UltraSpouts per 100 runners per minute ensures smooth flow with 150% safety contingency, exceeding standards for hydration service capacity for runners with an extremely wide output margin, even during peak traffic.
• A single UltraSpout can reduce volunteer needs by up to two people—a potential 50% decrease compared to a traditional aid station.
• The system modeled at La Jolla could serve 250 runners per minute at capacity—but it operated far below that threshold, keeping racer flow stress-free.
• Self-service hydration reduces the most common aid station pain point: waiting in line.

When race directors transition to self-serve water aid stations, it’s a five-fold win,” says Kevin Huff, founder and inventor of WaterMonster. “No paper cup waste, fewer tables, fewer volunteers, lower costs and progress towards your sustainability goals. This really should be the new standard for all running water stations.”

For years, the trail racing community has opted to carry their own hydration and refill at aid stations. Since 2017, HydraPak has enabled hundreds of races to eliminate single use cups, from the Broken Arrow Skyrace to The Rut and Mammoth Trail Fest. Road races like La Jolla are coming on board as well. With the release of Altenburg’s report, road race directors now have an easy-to-follow blueprint for sustainable racing success.

As endurance events face rising participant numbers and the need to utilize volunteers efficiently, self-serve models are proving to be the scalable solution. Major events, like the New York Marathon or Chicago Marathon, rely on armies of volunteers to unpack, pour and distribute tens of thousands of single-use cups per station. With a standard reusable cup setup, like that at La Jolla Half Marathon, volunteers can be reassigned to other important tasks instead of being tasked with filling and distributing disposable cups.

“We believe runners are ready to carry their own vessels and fill their own cups or flasks. That commitment is backed by our Sustainable Racing program which includes free cups, discounted bulk pricing, as well as a variety of resources,” says Jennifer Krupey, Vice President of Marketing at HydraPak. “This research dispels the longheld belief that filling stations at larger events pose a safety concern. We’re excited to get this information into the hands of race directors to help eliminate race-day waste.”

Despite clear environmental and operational benefits, the most significant barrier to eliminating single use cups remains tradition and a resistance to change. “Producing a race requires a high level of planning and execution,” says La Jolla Half Marathon Race Director, Bart Calame. “I understand the hesitation from race directors to make significant changes. We took the leap with HydraPak’s Sustainable Racing model and we’re not going back. The waste reduction alone has actually made our event easier to manage—and it’s the right thing to do for our beautiful city and community. On race day, the aid station flow has been nothing short of excellent. We know that our runners keep coming back because they understand the far ranging value of carrying their own hydration.”

Hydrapak envisions a planet where every athlete carries their own hydration. Their financial and ethical investment in Sustainable Racing demonstrates an unwavering commitment to accelerate the pace of race transition away from single use options.

For more information, please email the press contact for HydraPak, Tim Nooney of Darby Communication, tim@darbycommunications.com.

ABOUT HYDRAPAK

HydraPak® is the leading original equipment manufacturer of soft flasks, reservoirs, and water storage solutions globally. Founded in Northern California, the company is dedicated to producing flexible and durable hydration products tailored for recreational, athletic, and military use. HydraPak and its proprietary brand, Bottle Bright® cleaning tablets, are category leaders. Over the past 20 years, HydraPak has not only pioneered new product categories, but has also become a trusted partner for hundreds of renowned global brands and athletes.

ABOUT WATERMONSTER

WaterMonster is a trademark name, sold under the company Event Hydration Solutions, Inc located near Austin Texas and Manufactured in Gainesville Texas. WaterMonster started in 2009 in Austin TX with a humble beginning of servicing small local outdoor races and festivals. As Event directors welcomed the idea of hydration services, the word spread and soon WaterMonster expanded nationwide. Today there are over 5,000 tanks being used at races, sporting events, summer camps, music festivals and emergency disasters. Millions of plastic bottles have been reduced by encouraging participants to refill. Both retail sales and full service are available. www.watermonster.us.

Contact:

Tim Nooney
Darby Communications
tim@darbycommunications.com