11th annual Water Run fundraiser a go next month

This year’s Water Run will feature a number of changes as a result of COVID-19 guidelines, including staggering starts for the three, five, and 10 kilometre runs.

Food services have also been cancelled for 2020, though a physically distanced celebration area will be available near the finish line.

Organizers have also had to cap the number of participants this year, as they are tentatively working with a 150 runner maximum.

“We put in a 150 top end,” said McElhinney. “The City might come back to us with less than that, but for right now it’s 150 where we sort of have the cut off at.”

A virtual Water Run is also being planned for those who won’t be able to fit under the capped runner maximum, or those who would like to stay more physically distanced from the other participants.

Financially it’s expected to be a down year for the organizers even if they are able to shore up all 150 spots, however they will be able to rely on the success of last year’s 10^th anniversary run.

“We had a really fantastic year and that’s going to help carry us over for this year, because I don’t think we’re going to do quite that well,” said McElhinney. “But, the sponsors have still gotten behind us and it’s such an important thing.”

Money raised will be going to support Nehemiah Construction Ministries, who build water wells for the Turkana people of northwestern Kenya.

“Here we turn on the tap and we have fresh, clean water,” said McElhinney. “Where we’re drilling water wells, there’s no such thing. We’ve actually drilled more water wells in this eight months of COVID than any other year. So, we haven’t even slowed down in Kenya.”

Anyone interested in registering for this year’s Water Run can do so on their website.

by Scott Roblin

11th annual Water Run fundraiser a go next month

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