An environmental action day cleaning beaches on the island of Mljet kicked off the eco-sport event Earth Run Europe 2013 on Easter Sunday.
Environmentalists started a cleanup of the coast on the island aware that the beach pollution is a serious problem and that nature never takes a holiday. On the beach, a large amount of rubbish awaited them as Mljet National Park is exposed to constant waste pollution brought in by the currents, and it is precisely because of that reason that it was chosen as the site for the first race.
Despite a 12 hour run ahead of him as part of Earth Run Croatia, Croatian marathon runner Ivan Jelavic joined the volunteers on the beach to show his support. The Planet Earth Association which organised the event is urging all citizens to take part in the beach cleaning action which will run until April 6th.
As part of this campaign Mljet hosts the first of eight races today for Earth Run Croatia. Each race will be dedicated to a Croatian national park. At least one runner will run the entire race without a break and will be joined by kids, athletes, and other citizens at various stages.