The Run For Water series of events returns to local trails, roads and parks in less than two weeks.
The fundraiser, which helps provide providing clean water for rural villages in Africa, begins with the annual Party in the Park event at Abbotsford's Mill Lake Park on May 24.
The Party in the Park runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and showcases a free family movie, live music, food trucks and activities for all ages. Race packages will also be available for pickup from noon to 5 p.m. ahead of the big local race on May 25.
The traditional Run For Water then occurs on May 25 and also takes place at Mill Lake Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Both a five kilometre fun race and a 10 km race are offered this year. Hundreds of participants are expected for the races and they give runners the option to to participate for fun or in a competitive spirit. Participants must register by May 21 to join the race.
Last year's race saw 1,100 people participate.
Also returning this year is the Run For Water Trail race, which occurs on the trails of Sumas Mountain on Saturday, May 31. Trail enthusiasts can choose from 10 km, 25 hm or 50 km routes. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Ride For Water is also back and this year is set for the Chilliwack River Valley on Saturday, June 14. Participants can choose either a medio 55 km race or an epic 100 km race. Brand new for this year is an 80 km mountain bike. The Ride For Water gets going at 8 a.m.
The 2025 partner village for this year's event is the village of Merawi in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. According to a press release from Run For Water, 77.5 per cent of the region's population lacks reliable access to clean water. All proceeds and donations from the event series will fund the installation of solar-powered water systems replace two outdated, inefficient wells that depend on expensive diesel (90 per cent) and electricity (10 per cent). A brand new solar-powered well will also be built, providing a long-term, sustainable solution to the region’s water needs.
“Every step, every mile, every dollar counts,” stated Ed Brett, general manager of the Run For Water events. “This initiative goes beyond running and biking — it’s about providing communities with the essential resource of clean water, improving health, and creating lasting change for generations to come.”
The Run For Water event initially was created in 2007 and the vision was to stage a top tier internationally recognized running event that would attract a wide range of participants and athletes and, at the same time, raise awareness – and funds – for people in the developing world who lack one of life’s basic necessities – clean water.
In the years since, more than $4 million have been raised to help build clean water projects in some of the most remote and marginalized areas of Ethiopia.
For more information on all the events, visit runforwater.ca.