The question isn't if we will run out of water. It's when.
Unless we change.

 
 
 

Through my work with the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, I came to learn about the planet's unfolding water crisis: by 2030, we face a 40% shortfall in the global supply of accessible, reliable water. 

I have since dedicated my life to educating leaders and young people alike about this crisis and how we can solve it.

All photography provided by Kelvin Trautman

 
 
 
Mina Guli Running in Death Valley
 
 

Ultra runner

I run expeditions to draw global media attention to the water crisis and tell the amazing stories of people around the world living with water scarcity. 

Water Advocate

In 2012, I founded Thirst, an organization that has educated hundreds of thousands of young people in China about their water footprints.

 
“I run for every person that uses water.”
 
Mina Guli Running in the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa
 
 
“I want every single person on the planet to be able to realize their aspirations.
Without a reliable water supply, that is not possible.”
Mina Guli among the students of Thirst Water Program
 
 

Mina's Instagram 

In just four months, I'll begin #RunningDry -- 100 marathons for 100 days around the world for 1 single, reason: water. If you'd like to get involved as a runner or volunteer, please get in touch! You can also sign up for our newsletter (link in bio). . We'll be releasing our running route soon. I can't wait to share these incredible water stories with you! 📸@kelvintrautman . . #Run4Water #RunningDry #100marathons #everydropcounts
Do you live and breathe travel planning, on-the-ground logistics planning and love nothing more than finding the perfect flight and the ideal running route that tells an important story, while fitting into our crazy schedule? If this is you, join the #RunningDry team as our Logistics Intern! . We're also looking for interns to work with us in the areas of sponsorship, communications, research and stories and legal. Please see http://www.minaguli.com/careers for details . #waterjobs #recruitment #nonprofitjobs #werehiring 📸 @kelvintrautman
NOW HIRING! ✨✨ - Thirst is hiring a Campaign Director and a Media Manager for #RunningDry. We’re looking for creative and strategic thinkers, self-starters and team players who want to help change the way we think about water. - Check out www.minaguli.com/careers for more information.
Happy #EarthDay! Wishing luck to all the amazing people who are celebrating by running the #LondonMarathon today. Fearfully counting the days until my own start. Time goes way too fast! Luckily not all change needs to involve Running - this #EarthDay please commit to saving up to four gallons of water a day just by turning off the faucet when brushing. It’s a small change with the potential for big impact. #Everydropcounts #Timeflies #ColgatePartner
#behindthescenes at @CNN! @merrelldalybeauty getting me camera-ready for a chat with @donriddell about my 100 marathons|100 days #100% #commitment #everydropcounts #cleanwaterforall #ultramarathon #endurance #sdg6
@reebok will be shielding the world from my battered ultra-marathoners feet, as I embark on my next global expedition: 100 marathons 100 days 100% commitment to Water 💕👟💦🌍 #sneakers #running #ultramarathon #ultramarathoner #worldwaterday #everydropcounts #SDG6 #commitment #watersecurity #runnersfeet #waterfitness #waterscarcity
I'm excited to announce on #WorldWaterDay that I'm joining @Colgate to raise awareness of this important water saving tip: Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save up to 4 gallons of water every time you brush! Please share because #EveryDropCounts. #ColgatePartner
“Blessings and burdens are not mutually exclusive” - R.H. I was in my early 20s when we were horsing around the pool one afternoon. One of my friends picked me up, tried to throw me in, and dropped me on the edge. I hurt my back so badly - the doctors told me that I would never be able to run again. Given my lifelong antipathy towards exercise and athletics in particular, not-running wasn’t such a big deal. So, I could’ve shrugged my shoulders and used it as an excuse to sit on the couch and eat pizza. But, what was a big deal was the doctor saying I couldn’t do something. I realised this was an opportunity – one that would allow me to define my own limits. I started swimming. At first, I could barely manage two laps (which felt like crossing an ocean). Swimming led to biking, and eventually running as I strived to prove to myself that I could defy the odds. Nine months after breaking my back, I did my first full Ironman. I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out if I had not treated my accident as a challenge? There's a quote from Ryan Holiday which I really like: “In life, it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given.” Remember this when you next find yourself facing an obstacle or a challenge. . 📸: @kelvintrautman
You are an incredible role model for independence, intelligence and humility. Thank you for being you, mom! 💙 #mothersday 📸: @kelvintrautman

Mina on Twitter

 
 

"Blessings & burdens are not mutually exclusive"- Ryan Holiday, the obstacle is the way

Mina Guli running on Bad Water Flats in USA