In 2007 the founding board members of the Run for Water Society conceptualized a unique event to be hosted in Abbotsford, British Columbia. 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. Since 2008, this volunteer board has staged an annual road race and now additionally organizes trail runs and gravel grind events. 

Funds raised – over $4,000,000 to date – go towards helping building clean water projects in some of the most remote and marginalized areas of Africa.

Runners understand the importance of hydration, and how critical clean drinking water is to sustaining fitness, health and life.

In the Global South, the stakes are much higher. Estimates are that 1 billion people on our planet do not have access to a reliable source of clean water! The lack of a water source also means children, particularly young girls, cannot go to school. It means women cannot tend to their family or pursue a livelihood. Instead they spend their days attending to their daily water needs, frequently walking for hours to fetch water that is unsanitary.

Each May, the World Water run encourages people of all ages and abilities to run for “Water” in order to help those in need access safe, clean water sources. Access to clean water is foundational to securing health, education and economic well-being.

Runners can choose from various distances on the road and trails through beautiful Mill Lake Park in central Abbotsford.