The countdown begins as the GB Team gears up for their debut at the World Plogging Championships, a unique event that merges fitness with environmental action. Hosted in the stunning city of Genoa on November 17, 2024, this championship brings together athletes and environmental enthusiasts from around the globe in a race to not only win but make a positive impact on the planet. 

3/4 of the GB Team during a plogging session at the Grand Union Canal (left to right): Cherelle Amos, Chris Broadbent and Luke Douglas-Home.

A Collaboration for Change: A Future Without Rubbish & Planet Earth Games 

The GB Team’s journey to Genoa is the result of an exciting collaboration between A Future Without Rubbish, the organisation behind the Coastline Runner initiative, and Planet Earth Games, a charity promoting active and sustainable living through sport. Together, they are committed to raising awareness about pollution and demonstrating that sports can be an essential part of environmental stewardship. 

Luke Douglas-Home, founder of A Future Without Rubbish, and Chris Broadbent, founder of Planet Earth Games, have joined forces to field a strong British team, united by the ethos of minimising waste, reducing pollution, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations. Luke, who has long been an advocate for changes to our environmental impact, believes that plogging is more than just a sport; it's a movement that can inspire people across the globe to take meaningful action. 

Meet GB Team  

Pictured (left to right): Luke Douglas-Home, Cherelle Amos, Chris Broadbent and Claire Petrie

The four athletes representing Great Britain are passionate about their mission: 

• Luke Douglas-Home (London), the driving force behind The Coastline Runner initiative, will compete for the second consecutive year. 

• Chris Broadbent (Bovey Tracey, Devon), the mind behind Planet Earth Games, leads the effort to merge fitness and climate action. 

• Cherelle Amos (Brent, London), a plogging enthusiast, is known for her dedication to environmental activism. 

• Claire Petrie (Bristol), combines her passion for fitness with a drive to clean up our streets and parks. 

Stay Tuned 

These athletes are set to race through the picturesque trails of Genoa, picking up litter as they go, showing that caring for the environment can be seamlessly integrated into physical activity.  

Supporting our GB Team 

Three members of the GB Team plogging at the Grand Union Canal in London

The World Plogging Championships, now in its fourth year, has become a landmark event that highlights the importance of environmental responsibility. The participation of the GB Team has garnered widespread support, including from England Athletics, whose representative Andy Anstey noted: 

“Plogging is a brilliant way to take climate action while running. It sets a fantastic example of how sustainability can be woven into sports. We’re proud of the GB Team for representing the UK in Italy this year.” 

Support for the GB Team is not limited to the athletics community. Across the UK, people are rallying behind this initiative, recognizing it as a powerful way to promote both fitness and environmental stewardship. 

The Road to Genoa 

In the true spirit of sustainability, the GB Team is making its journey to Italy in a low-polluting fashion. The team plans to travel by train from London, avoiding air travel as much as possible to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s this commitment to reducing waste and pollution, both on and off the field, that embodies the core values of the World Plogging Championships. 

More Than Just a Race 

While the event is competitive, the World Plogging Championships is about more than just winning medals—it's about inspiring action. Participants are encouraged to see themselves as environmental ambassadors, promoting sustainability and demonstrating that every step they take helps to clean up the world we live in. 

With the championship day drawing near, the GB Team is ready to take on the challenge in Genoa—combining athletic excellence with their passion for a cleaner world. On November 17, 2024, they will not only compete but lead by example, showing the world that through sport, we can all contribute to a future without rubbish. 

For updates on the GB Team’s progress and the World Plogging Championships, follow our social media pages on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s cheer them on as they race for a cleaner, greener world!