Rusty Funk, Team World Vision’s Direct of the National 6K for Water promotes the race at the Freedom and Aquatic Center in Manassas, August 12.[/caption] Six kilometers (3.72 miles) is the average distance that people in Africa have to walk for water.
The World Vision 6K for Water, September 12, at the Freedom Center in Manassas, will give race participants the opportunity to experience what it feels like to travel that same distance, while at the same time providing clean water to one person in Africa through their registration fee.
Each registration of $50 will bring clean water and fullness of life to one person, whose photo will be pictured on their individual race bib. Every bib is unique and shows participants their direct impact in Africa.
World Vision has been in operation for 64 years, and Team World Vision has been holding its National 6K for Water race series for the past ten years. However, this is the first year Team World Vision has expanded into the D.C. region, and they will be joining with the Prince William-based company, Fun Run Racing to make it happen.
Bristow resident Amy Hodges, who is a volunteer and a donor with World Vision, recommended the organization choose the D.C. market.
“My older brother, David, works for World Vision. He was telling me about Team World Vision and the 6K for Water Series that was getting going. He was listing various large cities around the country, and I said, ‘How come D.C. isn't one of the cities? We have a huge runner base,'” Hodges said.
Hodges recommended Fun Run Racing partner with Team World Vision to host the event in Prince William County.
“I'm a runner and frequent The Running Store, so I recommended to Rusty that we contact to see if they would come on board to help make it happen here in Prince William County. I've lived here now for almost 16 years and for most of my races, I have had to travel to D.C. or Maryland," Hodges said.
According to Rusty Funk, Team World Vision’s Direct of the National 6K for Water race series, Hodges convinced World Vision that Prince William residents would be enthusiastic participants, and that Fun Run Racing would go above and beyond to make the event special.
"The idea of having a local race was very appealing. Rob and Ian's Fun Run Racing company was the ideal fit. Our 6K for Water -bringing water for life to a child in need! -was right up their alley," Hodges said.
However, there was an issue. Although Fun Run Racing is contacted frequently to partner on 5Ks and fun runs, they have always declined. When the company launched in 2013, it did no not with the intention of hosting races for other organizations, but being the company that brought family-friendly, large-scale, entertaining races to Prince William County.
Funk was not deterred. He flew out to Prince William to meet with Dulin and Connor to discuss the national organization’s vision for the race. After hearing Funk’s pitch, Fun Run Racing was onboard.
“When we met with Rusty Funk, we realized that this is an event that we needed to help bring to the D.C. area," said Dulin. "We are thrilled to host the race right here in Prince William County. The opportunity to create a dynamic, fun event and help provide clean water to hundreds, if not thousands, of people in need completely aligns with the mission of Fun Run Racing."
Funk was also happy with what Fun Run Racing had to offer.
“What made that decision was really Amy’s leadership and then meeting the guys from Fun Run Racing, and knowing the community would rally behind this race,” Funk said.
He also liked that Fun Run Racing agreed to go above and beyond just handling the logistics of the race, to also market it locally.
According to Dulin, the 6K will be similar to the other races they have brought to the Freedom Center.
“The course is flat, fast, and virtually identical to our Freedom Firecracker and Prince William Turkey Trot 5K courses with the exception that a loop is added behind the Hylton Performing Arts Center," he said.
EVENT DETAILS:
Estimated Participants: 1,500
Race Details: Chip-timed, closed course, age group awards, t-shirt, and unique water beneficiary bib to each participant
Event Name: World Vision 6K for Water
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Freedom Fitness and Aquatic Center, at 9100 Freedom Center Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia, 20110
Learn more or register: WorldVision6K.org
About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Learn more at http://worldvision.org.
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