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Study Confirms Refillable Cup Systems Are Faster, Cleaner and More Efficient

August 21, 2025
Announcements Hydration Running
Study Confirms Refillable Cup Systems Are Faster, Cleaner and More Efficient

At races around the world, the image is all too familiar: a sea of paper cups littering the course, volunteers scrambling to fill them, and runners bottlenecked at crowded aid stations. But what if there were a better way?

Turns out—there is. And now, we have the data to prove it.

HydraPak recently commissioned a groundbreaking study led by crowd scientist Marcel Altenburg, whose expertise in mass movement dynamics has guided some of the world’s largest endurance events. His findings? Races that adopt refillable, self-serve hydration systems not only cut down significantly on waste and labor, but also keep runners moving without delays.

What the Study Found

Altenburg’s research analyzed aid station efficiency and racer flow at the 2024 and 2025 La Jolla Half Marathons, both of which adopted HydraPak’s Sustainable Racing model. This system includes reusable SpeedCups™, SpeedFill Pitchers, UltraSpout™ Dispensers, and large-scale WaterMonster™ tanks.

Using Start Right, a simulation tool trusted by the World Marathon Majors, Altenburg mapped real-time movement with 99.9% accuracy. His conclusion: refillable cup systems are not only viable—they're superior.

Here’s a snapshot of the key findings:

  • 4.2 UltraSpouts per 100 runners per minute ensures smooth, stress-free flow with a 150% safety margin.
  • A single UltraSpout can reduce volunteer needs by two people—cutting staffing in half at busy stations.
  • The modeled system at La Jolla could handle up to 250 runners per minute, though it ran far below that, keeping everything smooth.
  • Self-serve hydration eliminates the #1 pain point at aid stations: long lines for a cup of water.
“If you have enough UltraSpouts, runners will never have to wait again,” Altenburg says. “Through sustainable racing, you solve 90% of aid station problems.”

Why It Matters

For race organizers, adopting refillable systems is more than a green gesture—it’s a logistical upgrade. The La Jolla Half Marathon saw less waste, fewer volunteers, simpler setup, and a better runner experience.

“It’s a five-fold win,” says Kevin Huff, inventor of WaterMonster. “No paper cup waste, fewer tables, fewer volunteers, lower costs, and progress toward your sustainability goals.”

The study offers race directors a data-backed blueprint for streamlining aid stations while drastically cutting waste. As road races grow in size and complexity, self-serve hydration offers a scalable alternative to the traditional single-use model.

Trail Wisdom Meets Road Innovation

Trail runners have been carrying their own hydration and refilling on the go for years. Since 2017, HydraPak has supported hundreds of trail races—including The Rut, Broken Arrow Skyrace, and Mammoth Trail Fest—to go cup-free. Now, road races are catching on.

“This should be the new standard for running water stations,” says Huff. “And now we have the numbers to support it.”

With this new data in hand, race directors can confidently move away from single-use systems and toward a more efficient, sustainable future.

What Race Directors Are Saying

Even with all the benefits, the biggest hurdle remains tradition.

“I understand the hesitation,” says Bart Calame, Race Director of the La Jolla Half Marathon. “But we took the leap with HydraPak’s Sustainable Racing model, and we’re not going back.”

“The waste reduction alone made our event easier to manage—and it’s the right thing to do for our community. On race day, the aid station flow has been nothing short of excellent.”

A Vision for Sustainable Racing

HydraPak believes the future of racing is simple: every athlete carries their own hydration.

Through its Sustainable Racing program, HydraPak offers:

  • Free or discounted refillable/reusable cups
  • Bulk pricing for events
  • Support materials and logistics resources for race directors ready to make the switch

“We believe runners are ready for this,” says Jennifer Krupey, VP of Marketing at HydraPak. “This research helps dispel the myth that self-serve stations can’t scale. It’s time to eliminate race-day waste—for good.”

Ready to Make the Shift?

Whether you're a race director, runner, or sustainability advocate, the data is clear: refillable cup systems work.

  • It’s better for the course.
  • It’s better for your volunteers.
  • It’s better for the planet.

You can learn more about HydraPak’s Sustainable Racing program by clicking here.