University Star

Sewell Park played host to the World Walks for Water Run 5K & Fun Run on March 24, organized by the Texas State chapter of WaterAid.

Participants of the World Walks for Water Run and 5K embark on the 5K run March 24 from Sewell Park.

Nathan Hartman, secretary of WaterAid, said the weather was perfect for the 5K run. The 66 people in attendance were also a greater number than had been anticipated.

WaterAid holds a spring water week with the intent of bringing attention to the lack of clean water around the world. 

Maia Holmes, president and founder of WaterAid at Texas State, said she read an article in National Geographic describing the shortage of clean water in the world. This includes many Third World villages and can create a high mortality rate, driven by bacteria found in the water they drink. 

Holmes asked herself how she could help and decided founding this organization was the only way it would be possible. 

“The article really influenced me and shook me to my core,” she said. “I asked myself what I could do to make a difference, and putting together this organization has really been a great experience.”

WaterAid focuses on educating those who are not aware of the scarcity of water around the world. The group organizes a World Water Week to raise awareness.

Of the money earned from the event, 50 percent will go to the Water Aid which to provide clean water for sanitation.  The other half will aid local organizations like the San Marcos River Foundation and the Greenbelt Alliance.

The 5K run took place with clouds and great energy. 

In addition to the 5k run there were musical performances by The Bottom Dollar String Band and Good Field.

Devon Canedy, vocalist of The Bottom Dollar String Band, said even though it was early in the morning the band was excited to perform for such a great cause. 

“It is really great to be a part of something that helps out so much,“ Canedy said.

The trail began at Sewell and ended at Rio Vista.

Jackson Bradford, biology junior, said the run was the most interesting and beautiful 5K he has ever participated in. 

Bradford said he was very excited about participating in such a worthwhile event.

“I didn’t really do much to prepare for the run, except maybe just stretching. But I was really impressed with the trail that WaterAid chose. It had really beautiful scenery,” Bradford said. 

Molly Finneran, international relations junior, said there was a strong feeling of running for a cause that made it even more worthwhile. 

She said after the cool down the music was great and found the event to be an amazing place to meet people. 

“It also helped that the food that WaterAid gave out was really great,” Finneran said. 

WaterAid hopes to continue organizing this event for future semesters and to promote water sanitation issues.  

“Everyone that was there understood the pretext of why they were there, and that it was a really good reason to run,” Bradford said. “All the members of Water Aid did a great job with putting it together.”