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 

“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
Behind every crazy ultra-running expedition is a team of equally crazy, but incredible, people. This post is dedicated to that group of people. . Thank you for taking 6 weeks out of your lives, away from loved ones, to join this expedition. Thank you for all the laughs, silly jokes, tissues for my many tears, great running company, and for always having a packet of salty Lays chips nearby. Thank you for helping me cross the finish line of an expedition which at times seemed almost impossible to complete. Thank you for helping me raise awareness of the UN’s Global Goal 6, and telling the world about our water crisis. No one changes the world alone. 🙏 #Run4Water
“The world needs new leadership, but the new leadership is about working together.” -Jack Ma. . I’m in New York today where I'm visiting the United Nations’ Head Quarters to meet with the President of the General Assembly, to hand over the big Global Goal 6 flag we carried during the expedition. This is a flag that I had printed prior to the start of the expedition. And along all the rivers I ran, I asked people to sign the flag as a demonstration of their commitment towards achieving the UN's Global Goal 6. . I only saw the flag for the first time when I arrived in Vegas to start the expedition along the banks of the Colorado River. The flag arrived in what I thought was an unnecessarily large box. But as I took it out, I saw how big it was. It was enormous! . Jack, a 6-year old boy, was the first person to sign the flag. It was just before the 6 River Run kicked off. Amidst my excitement of getting the first signature, I was quietly concerned. The signature (read drawing), albeit quite large, was dwarfed by flag’s size. I remember thinking how on earth will we be able to get enough signatures to cover this massive flag. . Today, after 6 weeks of running, the flag is covered in signatures. What struck me of everyone who signed, was their hope and willingness to seek solutions for our complex water issues. It fills me with hope - knowing that if we work together and take action, we can make a difference. #Run4Water . 📸: @kelvintrautman
Happiness is... 1,688km done & 0km to go. . 📸: @kelvintrautman
The last day of the 6 River Run is here. Woohooo! #JollyGood #Run4Water . 📸: @kelvintrautman
I’m on the outskirts of London on my night of my penultimate marathon. This week I ran along the Thames from its source to here in London, and I couldn’t have chosen a more inspiring place to end this expedition. It is incredible to think that just 60 years ago Thames river was declared “biologically dead”. News reports from that time describe it as a vast, foul-smelling drain. The river was devoid of oxygen, making any form of life impossible. To give you an idea of the attitude towards the river back then, in 1959 a member of the House of Lords declared: “The Thames is a natural channel for the disposal of waste, and breaking up organic waste at least gives the river something to do.” The situation could get no worse, and so London decided to make it better. Through better waste management, industry regulation, conservation, and advances in technology the river has made a come-back. Today the River Thames is the cleanest river in the world that flows through a major city. I have seen the result of that effort in the resurgence of the Thames ecosystem - the swans, the fish, the birds and insects. With over 13 million people now supported by the Thames river basin, it shows us that we can achieve more sustainable economic growth if we are mindful of our most precious natural resource, water. The story of the Thames is one of the greatest water stories that needs to be told. It is one of hope for the world. Running Stats: 1,646km done, 42km to go. . 📸: @kelvintrautman
Over the past 6 weeks there were many days when I wondered if I can do it. Today I know there will be a lifetime knowing that I have. #Run4Water #PenultimateDay . . . #outdoorwomen #TrailAndUltra #instarunners #RunnerSCommunity #RCRunnerOftheWeek #dirtbagrunners #runfreegetdirty #FurtherFasterForever #womenrunning #InspiringWomenRunners #RunItFast #modernvoyage #liveauthentic #exploretocreate #modernoutdoors #racewithreason @racewithreason #lifestraw #neverstopexploring #getoutside #runnerscommunity #runnersofinstagram #womenwhorun #trailrunning #irunfar #exploremore
After 1,588km and 38 days of consecutive running, I've finally reached double digits...less than 100km to go. I can't believe I'm going to make it. #Run4Water . Follow: @minaguli . 📸: @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