At Run For The Water, the medal isn’t something you wear—it’s clean water flowing for a community in Burundi
Every Monday after a race weekend, runners share their medals.
Celebrating the finish line—and the impact behind every mile
They hang them on walls. Line them up on shelves. Post them as a symbol of the miles they pushed through and the finish lines they crossed.
At Run For The Water, we think about medals a little differently.
Because what if the symbol of your accomplishment wasn’t something you could hold?
What if it was something that changed lives?
What Our “Medal” Really Looks Like
At Run For The Water, the “medal” looks like clean water flowing from a tap stand in Burundi.
It looks like:
A mother no longer walking miles each day for water
Children spending more time in school
A community gaining access to something reliable and built to last
Futures with hope
No, you can’t wear it around your neck.
But it’s there—every day—serving thousands of people.
Why We Don’t Do Finisher Medals
It’s a deliberate choice by the Gazelle Foundation. Rather than spending on participant medals, those dollars go directly into building clean water systems—pipelines, storage tanks, and tap stands engineered to serve entire communities for generations. Learn how these systems are designed and built.
It’s a small decision on race day. Over time, it adds up.
They become systems.
They become access.
They become lasting impact.
More Than a Race
Run For The Water includes a 10-miler, 5K, and Kids K, but what brings people back year after year is something bigger.
It’s a community that shows up for a challenge and is part of building something real—celebrated at the finish line festival with an unbeatable atmosphere, post-race perks, camaraderie, Burundian drummers, a Winner’s Circle, and more.
That’s what makes this race different.
Race Details
Run For The Water includes a 10-miler, 5K, and Kids K in Austin, Texas—along with a Global Run option for those participating from anywhere on the planet.
Whether you’re running locally or joining from afar, every mile helps bring clean water closer to communities in Burundi.
How to Get Involved
Run with us
Whether it’s your first race or your fastest, there’s a place for you on the start line.
Start a team
Bring your friends, coworkers, or community together. Teams make the experience more fun—and increase the impact.
Become a sponsor
Corporate partners play a critical role in underwriting the event, allowing more funding to go directly toward clean water systems. It’s a meaningful way to align your brand with lasting, measurable impact.
One Race. A Lifetime of Change.
For 20 years, this community has shown that a race is more than a finish line.
It’s the rush of crossing it—and knowing you helped build something that lasts.
