A national environmental group is urging the Royal Victoria Marathon to improve waste management after finding discarded gel packs in gutters, grass, and storm drains days after the race, which included a record-setting number of participants.

In its 45th year, organizers of the RVM saw a record-setting number of 15,466 racers register, and of those 12,720 crossed the finish line.

Days after the marathon, Surfrider Foundation Canada staff were biking through the city and found dozens of gel wrappers left behind from the run, raising concerns about local ecosystems with wrappers easily washing into stormwater systems, before landing in the ocean.

While acknowledging the health, social and economic benefits of the event, Lucas Harris, executive director of Surfrider Foundation Canada says

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