Athlete Raises Funds For Clean Water Project

Cleveland native Katie Spotz, clean water activist and adventurer, embarked on a 73-mile run across the state of Vermont, making her the first woman to do so. The run took place on Saturday, August 8, at the Piermont Bridge connecting Piermont, NH and Bradford VT, and end at the Waterfront Park in Burlington, VT. This 14-hour run was in preparation for a 130-mile endurance challenge and charity fundraising initiative Run4Water. On September 5, Spotz ran across the entire state of Maine becoming the first person ever to complete the 130-mile journey. The challenge raised funds for the non-profit Lifewater International in their global mission to ensure every child has safe water.

Run4Water marks Spotz’s 8th endurance challenge to raise money for clean water projects in developing communities around the world. She rose to the public spotlight during her 2010 campaign Row For Life where she set records by single-handedly rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days. To date, Spotz’s work has impacted individuals in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, India, Honduras, Guatemala, Nigeria, and other global communities.

Spotz has partnered with Lifewater International stating that “There are hundreds of non-profits doing great work in the field and yet more than 25% of new water projects fail in just three years. Lifewater creates lasting change by working on a local and regional level and building appropriate safe water solutions. Not only are they delivering physical needs, but spiritual, offering hope and sharing the love of God to the communities they reach.”

“Partners like Katie make this life-changing work possible,” said Gary Weyel, Lifewater Director of Communications. “Because of her efforts, vulnerable families in very remote regions of Tanzania will have clean water, improved health, and hope for the future.”