Running for water 5K

A 5K run/walk this coming Saturday at Crapo Park in Burlington is going to directly aid an Indian city thousands of miles away across two major oceans.

The participants taking part at the Run for Water 5K will be doing their bit to provide clean, fresh drinking water to the city of Kakinada in the Indians state of Andhra Pradesh, as reported by menafn.com.

The event is the brainchild of two eighth-graders at Aldo Leopold Middle School – Josh Gulick and Emily Peterson. As mentioned earlier, the event is said to be held at the Crapo Park in Burlington, Iowa. All the money raised from the event will go towards efforts to provide clean drinking water to the city of Kakinada.

The fund transfer will be managed through the assistance of Water Our Thirsty World, a non-profit organization that aims at providing safe, affordable water solutions to the world’s needy sections.

According to Gulick, $7,600 has already been raised for the event. The intention is to build water wells from which the residents of Kakinada would be able to draw fresh drinking water.

“It’s 500 per well, so we will be able to purchase 15 wells,” Gulick said.

Peterson said the experience has taught her the importance of organization.

“You have to make sure everything is done correctly,” Peterson said.

Gulick also went on to add about how organizational skills play a very important role in the smooth running of such events.

“If we forget bottles of water for everyone, that will probably make them not want to come back next year,” Gulick said. “Something as small as getting water can affect the outcome of everything.”

So far, 50 people have signed up for the 5K, with at least a dozen teachers from the Aldo Leopold school in the mix.

“People can still sign up on race day beginning at 7 a.m. at the large shelter house,” Peterson said. “We will have forms for them to fill out.”

The top performers in each age group will be given awards in recognition of their efforts.