Participants take off from the starting line last year during the ninth annual Water Run. The event is held each year outside the downtown YMCA to raise money for well-drilling projects in Africa.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
The annual Water Run is taking place this fall but it will look a little different compared to previous years.
The run is being held Oct. 10 outside the downtown YMCA and will kick off at 11 a.m.
The run will likely be capped at 150 participants this year, organizer Dave McElhinney says.
“We’re looking at about 150 people this year and we think we can keep people safe,” he said. “The run will be similar to previous years and it’ll be a fun time with friends and family.”
It will have staggered start times for the three-, five- and 10-kilometre heats.
The event will also be running virtually for people who don’t want to be around large groups.
“People can do this anywhere at any time,” said McElhinney. “I’m in talks with people in Oregon right now.
“It’s actually pretty exciting to see all of the different places people are going to do the run.”
All of the money raised at the run will go to Nehemiah Construction Ministries, an organization that drills water wells in Northern Kenya.
Nehemiah has completed 73 wells in the region and started an education program.
“The education program in Turkana has really taken off,” he said. “We have a woman out there who was put through college – now she’s teaching 180 women out there.
“She’s teaching them how to grow vegetables, basket weaving and how to market their produce.”
McElhinney says the run is so much more.
“You’re changing lives,” he said.
People are able to bring strollers on the run, but are asked to leave dogs at home.
People can sign up online at http://www.thewaterrun.ca
