Richard’s Rainwater returns as the Water Sponsor at the finish line for the sixteenth annual Run For The Water. A uniquely transformative event, entry to Run For The Water allows the Gazelle Foundation to provide people in Burundi with access to clean water – for life. For 16 years running, the Gazelle Foundation has thrown the best race in town. Each November, over 5,000 runners and walkers take to the streets of downtown Austin for the annual Run For The Water 10 Miler, 5K, and Kids K through our beautiful west Austin course.
We Partner With The Best In the Business
Today, Richard’s Rainwater, whose mission is the cleanest water on the planet announced to return as the official water sponsor at the finish line of the Gazelle Foundation’s 16th annual Run For The Water event. The premier racing event attracts beginners and veterans alike and continues to inspire runners to lace up every year to help bring a crucial resource to people living on the other side of the globe.
The partnership was founded on the shared ethos that everybody deserves clean water. “Together with Richard’s Rainwater, race participants cross the finish line and receive a container of the freshest water the planet has to offer. We’re thrilled Richard’s Rainwater will be back again this year so that our impact on daily life in Burundi can continue to expand," said Cheryl Teekell, race director of Run For The Water. “Being the water sponsor of the iconic race is an excellent way to support families, and healthy lifestyles, and be an engaged part of the Austin Community,” said Teekell.
“Rain is a blessing”, is a phrase used by Gilbert Tuhabonye who did not have his first sip of good clean drinking water until he was in first grade growing up in Burundi. In Central Texas, we’ve experienced periods when tap water was not available or was unsafe to drink, and we see firsthand when aquifers run low, droughts occur. “Gilbert’s right, rain is a blessing, said Courtney Waldren, executive director of Gazelle Foundation. “Richard’s Rainwater and Gazelle Foundation know that simple solutions can solve big problems. At Run For The Water, every partner and participant has an impact. Partnerships like the one we have with Richard’s Rainwater are critical to making our event and mission possible. On November 6th, athletes of all abilities will challenge themselves in the 10 miler, 5k, or kids k to have fun and race to improve the lives of families on the other side of the globe in Burundi. The thunderous music of the Burundian drummers and Richard’s Rainwater — that’s a celebration,” said Waldren.
Richard’s Rainwater has been serving cloud to bottle since 1998. It started with a quest to get cleaner, better-tasting water for a ranch near Austin Texas in 1994. And has grown into a movement to provide clean, great-tasting water for everyone, everywhere. Richard’s Rainwater harvests rain before it touches the ground. That means using significantly less energy and not depleting the local water supply. Richard’s Rainwater now produces more than 2 million bottles and cans and collects over 30,000 gallons every time it rains one inch at one of the sites — at Tank Town in Dripping Springs Texas, Lazy Magnolia Brewery in Mississippi, and Monday Night Brewery in Atlanta.
Rain is local, everywhere. Richard’s is dedicated to sourcing facilities and capturing rainwater as close to our customers’ communities as possible. More partners means less environmental impact.
“Run For The Water is a one-of-a-kind event and perennial favorite. Gilbert Tuhabonye and board members like myself are at the finish line thanking every single participant for running and challenging themselves while providing a lifetime of water to people in Burundi. Gilbert embodies hope, generosity, and kindness. And that's what Run For The Water is about. Getting as many people as possible clean water. Gazelle Foundation and Richard’s Rainwater will continue to do extraordinary things together. ” Says Andi Gillentine, board vice president. Learn more about Richard’s Rainwater.
On Sunday, November 6, 2022, the Gazelle Foundation will produce the 16th annual Run For The Water 10-Miler, 5K, and Kid’s K. The race, has been named Austin’s best of by "Austin Runner Magazine", and a “crown jewel and must-do event for beginners and veterans alike” it is the marquee event for our charity. Runners are treated to experience Austin at its best. The Gazelle Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that implements charitable efforts to improve life for people in Burundi, Africa, and offers assistance to children of our community in Central Texas. Run for the Water is the Gazelle Foundation's annual fundraiser and allows us to continue our mission that to date has provided over 115,000 people with access to clean water. See the lasting impact the race has on real people in need.
Gilbert Tuhabonye leads the Gazelle Foundation, and he is a renowned motivational speaker and local running coach. Gilbert is a survivor of genocide, having been locked in a burning building with 150 of his classmates during the civil war that plagued his country from the early ’90s to mid-2000s. Gilbert used his running ability to eventually make it to the US, carry the Olympic torch in ’96, win multiple National Championships as a collegiate runner, and now give back to the Austin community through his Gilbert’s Gazelles training group, as the coach at St. Andrews High School, and the Gazelle Foundation. Naturally, he decided that a road race would be the Foundation's marquee event and fundraiser, the race is a signature fall event in Austin.
RACE LOCATION AND START TIME
November 6, 2022 — Run For The Water
Kids K (9:15 am) starts and finishes on South 1st Street Bridge
10-mile and 5k (7:00 am) Cesar Chavez east of Lamar Blvd
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS?
All sponsorships are tax-deductible and benefit the Gazelle Foundation*
Please use the link below to have Cheryl, from our team, contact you. Or email: cheryl@gazellefoundation.org