GRACZ joins forces with BANGSAEN SERIES to develop a fully eco-friendly running event model focused on environmental sustainability and impact.
BANGSAEN SERIES partners with GRACZ to produce 1,000,000 drinking cups made from 100% natural plant fibers for use in the three Bangsaen running events in 2026, kicking off with Bangsaen10. They have implemented a sorting process to convert used cups into compost and tree seedlings, promoting sustainable resource recycling back to nature.
Mr. Rat Jirojanwanitchakorn, Race Director and Managing Director of MICE and Communication Co., Ltd., spoke about the Bangsaen running events, which follow World Athletics standards: "Bangsaen Series believes that running events today should not only provide great experiences for runners but must also consider the multidimensional impacts of event organization."
"Today, running events are no longer just competing on who organizes the most fun event, attracts more runners, or creates better experiences. We believe future runs must answer what impact the events leave on runners, communities, and the environment."
"This is why Bangsaen Series has begun to consider how to transform sustainability from a supplementary activity into an integral event standard. A running event involves runners, organizers, staff, communities, and the environment."
"Therefore, our goal for this Bangsaen10 is to make the concept of 'eco-friendly running event' a reality from start to finish. We view sustainability not just as material choice but as the entire event system. This is why we partnered with GRACZ to pilot a running event model that cares for both runners and the environment."
"What we want from Bangsaen10 is to redesign the running event process—before, during, and after use—that is measurable, learnable, and scalable. We hope Bangsaen Series becomes a knowledge base other organizers can adopt and develop. If sustainability can become a system that can be learned, measured, and applied, running events in Thailand can elevate their sustainability standards."
Dr. Weerachat Kittiratnapiboon, CEO of Packaging for Environment Public Company Limited, stated,
"For GRACZ, this collaboration with Bangsaen Series goes beyond supplying products. We want to jointly experiment on how to create a comprehensive sustainability journey for a running event—from before use, during use, to after use."
"The figure of 1 million cups is not just a communication impact number for us; it represents 1 million actual uses. This means every cup use requires consideration—from material selection, usage, water station placement, sorting, to post-use management—to create sustainability."
"Thus, 1 million cups become 1 million touchpoints that teach us how sustainability can truly happen in a running event."
"The cups used in Bangsaen Series are made from 100% natural plant fibers without plastic coating. But for GRACZ, the important issue does not end with the material. We must think further about what happens to these cups after use and how to manage them to create value post-use."
"What makes this collaboration meaningful is turning over 1 million cups into a starting point for changing mindsets towards designing the entire running event system to create impact. This is what GRACZ aims to build with Bangsaen Series."
"Another goal of this event is to regard 'health' and 'environment' as one. Everyone coming to a running event aims for health, so we believe the surroundings should be designed considering both runner health and environmental health simultaneously. For GRACZ, choosing 100% natural plant fiber cups without plastic coating is part of this philosophy. More importantly, sustainability must happen throughout the entire journey, not just at cup selection."
"Another outcome we want after runners use the cups is to ensure the story of the cups doesn't end with disposal. Under the 'From Cup to Seedling' project, we aim to extend post-use management to return value back to nature."
"For us, 'From Cup to Seedling' doesn't only mean using cups for tree-planting activities but reflects the idea that post-use still holds value. We design material pathways to return value to nature, turning what was once waste into something valuable."
Used cups processed through the project's system are utilized in seedling cultivation in cooperation with forestry agencies. The first year resulted in planting over 1,000 seedlings, with a target of more than 5,000 this year.
We want each cup not to end after use but to pass on value back to nature. GRACZ aims to develop this prototype into knowledge and a framework that can be widely adopted, making sustainability a real event standard."
Regarding results, Bangsaen 10-2026, a World Athletics Elite Label standard race held for the 11th consecutive year, welcomed over 12,000 runners from Thailand and abroad, including world-class elite runners competing on the Bangsaen route in Chonburi Province. The start and finish were at Bangsaen Heritage Hotel, with the following results:
The champion was Sewmehon Anteneh Kbiret from Ethiopia with a time of 28:28 minutes.
The champion was Janet Jepkoech Chepkemoi from Kenya with a time of 31:43 minutes.
First place: Anucha Pada with 31:47 minutes; second: Sanchai Namkhet with 31:52 minutes; third: Pongsakorn Suksawat with 31:56 minutes.
First place: Pariya Sonsam with 36:57 minutes; second: Suthinee Dansuntornwong with 37:39 minutes; third: Rudi Netthai with 38:12 minutes.
A highlight of this Bangsaen 10 was Thai female runner Pariya Sonsam finishing in 36:57 minutes, setting a new course record for Thai women and becoming the new record holder.
This achievement led Narongchai Khunpluem, or “Mayor Tui,” mayor of Saensuk City, to award a special prize of 100,000 baht in recognition of the Thai female runner’s accomplishment.
