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 Ethiopia.