Mina Guli completes epic 200 marathons in 1 year for water
* Extraordinary campaign ends at the UN in New York at the start of UN Water Conference
* Mina has run 200 marathons in 32 countries since March 22, 2023
* Tens of thousands of people in 201 countries and territories have virtually run with her over the last week in the largest ever World Water Run
New York, March 22 – World renowned water campaigner, Mina Guli, today achieved a seemingly impossible feat by completing her 200th marathon in 1 year on the steps of the UN headquarters at the start of the UN Water Conference - the first global summit on water in 46 years.
Setting out on her epic journey exactly a year ago on World Water Day 2022, Mina ran 8440 km in 32 countries from Australia to Zambia - a distance greater than the length of Africa or equivalent to the distance from New York to Buenos Aires. It was all part of her global campaign to raise awareness about the scale of the world’s water crisis, inspire a global grassroots movement for change, and drive real action at this week’s conference.
Celebrating her extraordinary achievement, Mina Guli said “I was told that my goal of running 200 marathons in 1 year on the frontlines of the global water crisis was crazy, that it was impossible. But I did it. Hard, yes. Crazy, certainly. Impossible - no. And none of the steps that governments and businesses must take to solve the world’s water crisis are impossible either. Everywhere I ran around the world, people were calling for action to tackle the worsening challenges they face from too little water, too much water or too dirty water. We can’t let them down. This UN Water Conference is our moment. Let’s have the courage to make it count.”
Mina’s last three marathons were also part of the largest ever World Water Run with tens of thousands of people participating in 201 countries and territories around the world. Collectively, they ran more than 470 000 kms - equivalent to 12 times around the Earth. Mina Guli added “I ran in some of the world’s toughest places and most treacherous conditions - and there were some very hard times. But I was inspired to keep going by the people I met, the solutions I saw, and by the growing global grassroots movement of people calling for change. I am here in New York to make sure their voices are heard and to push governments and companies to make no more empty promises and paper pledges, but to commit to real action on water - and the rivers, lakes and wetlands that provide it. We can do hard things - so let’s challenge each other to do them.”
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The world is facing a worsening water crisis. Two billion people still lack access to safe water and sanitation. Climate change is impacting weather and rainfall patterns, increasing risks to communities, cities and companies - from droughts and floods to pollution. Meanwhile, we have lost one third of the world’s wetlands and 83% of freshwater species populations since 1970. There is an urgent need to accelerate action to achieve progress on SDG6 (water and sanitation for all) and to invest in healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands - as they are central to tackling climate and nature crises, and driving sustainable development.
The Run Blue campaign’s goal is to raise awareness of these challenges, highlight solutions and drive water up the agenda of businesses, NGOs, governments and the public.
Notes for editors:
Megan Oehley, Thirst Media Manager: megan@thirstfoundation.org
Photos and video footage from Mina’s 200 marathon campaign are available for media use and can be found here.
The campaign is supported by the Netherlands and Tajikistan governments, WWF, WBCSD and Bayer.
Mina ran her first Run Blue marathon on World Water Day 2022 (March 22) in Uluru, Australia. Since then, she has run marathons in Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt (COP27), Germany, France, Hungary, India, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, UK, USA, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Originally from Australia, Mina is a global leader committed to protecting the world’s water resources. Following a 15-year career in law, finance and climate change, Mina established the Thirst Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and driving action on water. She has spoken at the United Nations and many other global forums. In 2016 Mina ran the 7 Deserts Run (40 marathons across 7 deserts in 7 weeks). In 2017, she ran the River Run (40 marathons across 6 rivers in 40 days). And in 2018, she attempted 100 marathons in 100 days for the Running Dry campaign. She broke her leg on marathon 62 with people around the world uniting to help complete the campaign.
