Boston 5K tries reusable cups

The Boston Athletic Association will test reusable silicone cups at the Boston 5K on Saturday, April 18, but not at the Boston Marathon on April 20. (baa.org) (boston.com) The Boston 5K is capped at 10,000 runners, and the Boston Athletic Association says every cup at course hydration stations will be collected, washed, and reused at other races. (baa.org) (boston.com) Chris Lotsbom, the association’s director of race communications and media, told Boston.com there is “no new news to report” on changing Boston Marathon aid stations this year. Boston.com reported the group is sourcing 30,000 reusable cups from Hiccup for the 5K pilot. (boston.com) (hiccupearth.com) The move comes three days after the Paris Marathon on April 12 required runners to bring their own container, with no cups or bottles handed out on course. Paris organizers said volunteers and refill stations would still be available. (schneiderelectricparismarathon.com) Boston’s organizers have been measuring the waste problem in public. In its 2025 sustainability report, released April 7, the Boston Athletic Association said it collected 7.7 tons of compostable cups across its events while working toward a 42 percent emissions-reduction target. (baa.org) That report also said the association raised $50.4 million for 172 nonprofit organizations, donated about 20 tons of clothing, and engaged more than 10,200 volunteers, showing that race-day operations now sit inside a broader sustainability program. (baa.org) The Boston 5K itself is becoming a bigger Marathon Weekend event. The race sold out in 20 minutes in 2025, and the association switched to a random-selection entry process for 2026. (baa.org) For now, Boston is trying the smaller change first: reusable cups at 3.1 miles on Saturday, while the 26.2-mile marathon keeps its usual hydration setup on Monday. (baa.org 1) (baa.org 2)