Run A Race: Change Someone’s Life Forever

Fifth Annual Run for the Water Provides Clean Water for Life for People in Burundi

AUSTIN, TX— October 17, 2011 – This Halloween, conjure up your spirit runner and join the Gazelle Foundation in their fifth annual Run For the Water, presented by Keller Williams Realty. This popular downtown race will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2011 and includes popular race a challenging 10-mile race, a 5K and Kids’ K fun run & walk. This year, the Run for the Water has earned the designation by The Road Runners Club of America as a state championship race.

For the first time ever, the Run for the Water will offer a Barefoot Division with special awards from Merrell and Vibram awarded to the top three Overall and Masters Male/Female as well as age groups in ten-year increments. To qualify, registrants must pick up a special tag at the Barefoot Check-in table on race morning and complete the entire race in a shoe that meets the general accepted standards of barefoot or minimalist. In addition, this year’s race offers runners the chance to win prize money in the Open and Masters Division that is sponsored by Gilbert’s Gazelles Running Group. “To coincide with the state championship, we wanted to provide an opportunity to some of the area’s top runners to compete for money,” said Gilbert Tuhabonye, owner of the training group. “It’s exciting to be able to partner with Run for the Water and a race that holds such importance to me.”

The Run for the Water 10-miler is the second race in the Austin Fit Magazine Distance Challenge, a series of five races starting in October that culminates at the Austin Marathon in the February 2012 Livestrong Austin Marathon. Participants are not required to be a part of the Distance Challenge to compete. More information on the Distance Challenge is available at www.austindistancechallenge.com.

The scenic-filled course from previous years remains intact with a combination of flat streets and rolling hills in West Austin’s Tarrytown neighborhood and a downtown start and finish at the First Street Bridge. The 5K runners and walkers enjoy a fun, flat, fast and family-friendly out and back course on Cesar Chavez. The 10-miler will launch at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:10 a.m. The Kids K will begin at 9 a.m. New this year, children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and will be led by Gilbert Tuhabonye during the event. Ample parking is available that morning on the street and in several surrounding parking garages.

The Run for the Water race was created and inspired by local running coach and Burundian native Gilbert Tuhabonye. As an elite athlete and survivor of the Hutu/Tutsi civil upheaval that lead to a horrible massacre against Tutsi’s in 1993, Tuhabonye heads up the Gazelle Foundation, an Austin-based charity that develops clean water projects in Burundi. He also is founder of the Gilbert’s Gazelles Running Group in Austin and is a motivational speaker to churches, schools and businesses worldwide.

Proceeds from the previous four races have already raised enough funds to indeed construct four separatea water projects that is currently providing clean, life-saving water to more thanover 8,000 villagers in Songa, Burundi. Prior to having the water project in Songa, villagers traveled as far as five5 miles each way on foot to secure unclean water shared by livestock. “The Run for the Water is a great competitive event, and, it’s a great family event too,” said Gilbert Tuhabonye. “More importantly, by simply entering the race, every runner, regardless of their level, ensures a lifetime of clean water for one other person in Burundi.”

The 2011 Run for the Water is presented by Keller Williams Realty for the fourth consecutive year and is produced by and benefits the Gazelle Foundation. “Keller Williams Realty’s involvement demonstrates their commitment to helping others,” said Peter Rauch, Gazelle Foundation president. “Beyond their financial support, we have multiple numerous Keller Williams Realty volunteers race participants and volunteers. and race participants. Their continued support has a direct correlation with our success in enabling clean water sources in Burund as well as our ability to support central Texas youth through a variety of activities, events, and educational opportunities.” efforts provide an immense benefit to the Foundation and our mission of enabling clean water sources in Burundi, and giving back to central Texas youth.” After race expenses, 100 percent of the proceeds directly benefit the Foundation.

Registration for all three Run for the Water events is currently open at www.runforthewater.com. Here, participants can register on-line and view all race details including course maps, times and parking information, plus sign up to volunteer. For more information about the race or volunteer opportunities, contact info@runforthewater.com. For more information on the Gazelle Foundation, visit www.gazellefoundation.com.