Running for Water: Turning Miles into Water

Wind chills hovered around zero as I stepped outside for a training run in January. Winter running in Iowa isn’t easy—snow, wind, and frozen air make every mile feel harder.

But lately, when the miles get tough, I think about children like Evelyn in Honduras. She once had to walk for water before school each day. Now, because her community has clean water, she can simply go to school and be a kid. But millions of people around the world still live without something most of us take for granted every single day. Running connects me to water. That’s why I run.

For the past few years, I’ve signed up for the O’Round the Lake Half Marathon in Emmetsburg, Iowa as a way to stay motivated through the winter months. It’s not a fundraising race—it’s a reminder to stay disciplined and keep moving forward.

This year’s race is coming up on Saturday. The course winds through the countryside of northern Iowa, where the wind and weather can make the race especially challenging. But my time isn’t what matters most. If the weather cooperates and I feel strong, I may aim for an 8:30 per mile pace. Lately, my long training runs have been closer to 8:45 to 9:00 per mile, and I feel good about where I am.

My goal is simple: finish strong and continue building toward something bigger.

After this race, my focus will turn to Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota on June 20. That race will be different. It won’t just be about running—it will be about running for a purpose. My goal is to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 to support clean water projects in places like Tanzania and Honduras.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit both of these countries and see the need with my own eyes. Those experiences changed me. They reminded me that access to clean water is not just a convenience—it is life-changing.

When clean water comes to a community, everything begins to change.

• Waterborne illnesses decrease and health improves immediately.

• Women no longer spend hours each day walking long distances to collect water, giving them time to pursue education and economic opportunities.

• Children—especially girls—can attend school instead of carrying heavy containers of water.

• Entire communities experience new hope and opportunity.

• When water arrives, it transforms communities!

Perhaps most powerful of all is the gratitude people express when that water finally flows. It’s something I will never forget.

People often ask me why I push myself to run such long distances. The truth is, I don’t have to do it. Running 13 miles—or even 26—can feel difficult. But when I think about the daily journey that so many people must make just to collect water for their families, my struggle feels small by comparison. I hope that someday, I won’t have to run in order for others to have water.

But in the meantime, running is something that I can do. It’s a way I can use my effort and energy to help bring attention to a problem that affects millions of people. If my miles can help raise awareness, inspire others, and support organizations already doing incredible work, then every step is worth it.

World Vision, the largest non-governmental provider of clean water, has set an ambitious goal: bringing clean, sustainable water to 50 million people in 43 countries by the year 2030. They are nearly halfway there.

I can’t accomplish that goal on my own. But together—with awareness, generosity, and shared purpose—we can help make it happen.

When I lace up my running shoes and head out for another training run, I’m reminded that my challenge is temporary. For millions of people around the world, the challenge of finding safe water is part of everyday life. Many women and children walk miles each day just to collect water that often isn’t even safe to drink.

Every mile I run and every dollar raised helps bring the life-changing gift of clean water to communities in need. If you feel moved to support this mission, I would be deeply grateful for your partnership. Your generosity can help provide health, opportunity, and hope to families who deserve the same basic resources many of us take for granted.

Every mile I run is a step toward that goal. And every act of generosity brings us one step closer to a world where everyone has access to safe, clean water. That’s why I run. I run for water!