Clean Water 5K

EVENTS: We've added a third race this year! In addition to our 5k and kids 100-meter dash, we've added a 400-meter junior run ideal for children ages 6-12. All participants will receive a race t-shirt and race day perks, including a fruit & pancake breakfast, water and more!

PACKET PICK-UP: Friday, March 22, noon to 6 p.m. at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene (1400 E. Kellogg Drive); Saturday, March 23 (race day) 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the start/finish line.

RACE DAY: This is a chip-timed race under the direction of the Timer Guys, which means all race participants must be registered and wear a race bib. For the rest of the community, we've got big plans for food and fun before, during and after the race! Even if you're not racing, come enjoy treats and music starting at 8 a.m. For the serious runners, here's info on the race course location, description and details.

AWARDS: Overall awards given to top female and male runners and age group awards to top three in each group.

PARKING: Free vehicle parking for race day is available in the vacant lot across from the Mid-America All-Indian Center. For GPS navigation using Waze or Google Maps use 1351 W Sim Park Dr. to find the entrance to the lot. For GPS navigation using Apple Maps use 1351 W Museum Blvd. to find the entrance to the lot.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? For the second year in a row your entire registration fee goes toward building a borehole well and providing clean water education to a village in Africa. Water is life. We use this precious resource many times each day without thought or effort. Yet many people around the world don’t enjoy this luxury, because they don’t have easy access to water and possibly no access to clean water. Many women and children around the globe spend hours each day in search of water; their lives revolve around this task. Often the water they collect is contaminated and causes diarrhea, which is the leading cause of illness and death around the world. Many organizations are working to eradicate this problem by building safe wells in communities one village at a time. Access to clean water reduces illness and death, increases school attendance, builds gender equality, diminishes scarcity conflicts and improves impoverished communities. Yes, water is life.

Wichita Clean Water 5K is partnering with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Africa to bring life to villages through the construction of safe wells and clean water education. This year we are raising funds to build a borehole well in an African. Many African villages try to survive by fetching water from irrigation dams. Since these dams are meant for irrigation, the water is contaminated with diesel from pipes and generators. The water in these dams are further contaminated by animals, who also use this water source. Additionally, villagers bathe, do laundry and clean utensils in this dirty water. Community members often suffer from diarrhea and other waterborne diseases. Many women and children walk over 2½ miles to collect this dirty water.

Your race entry will help bring a borehole well and water education to this village. You can make a life-changing difference to a community of people by registering for the Clean Water 5K and inviting your friends to join you. Together, we can install a safe well be a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

2018 RESULTS: Thanks to the Timer Guys for providing overall results and age-group results.

UPDATE FROM OUR 2018 RACE & FUNDRAISING EFFORTS: Chipanga village enjoying clean water thanks to Clean Water 5k