Make your mark for real Sustainable Development Goals

Australia, 26 April 2019: Finally, a chance to cast a vote to make a real difference for our world! The #RunningDry Campaign, started by international water advocate and ultra-marathon runner, Mina Guli, has been announced as a finalist in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign Awards (UN SDG Action Awards). Nominated for the People’s Choice Award, #RunningDry needs your vote to help make saving water -- our world’s most precious resource – an even bigger priority.

Voting for the SDG Action Awards People Choice Award is open now and the winner is determined by the finalist who receives the most votes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. To vote for #RunningDry, like and share the #RunningDry post here: https://sdgactionawards.org/initiative/1443
Voting closes soon so please vote today.

The UN SDG Action Awards recognize individuals, civil society organizations, subnational governments, foundations, networks, and private sector leaders who are advancing the global movement for the Sustainable Development Goals in the most transformative, impactful and innovative way.

From more than 2000 applications from 142 countries, three finalists have been selected for each of the 7 categories: mobilizer, storyteller, campaigner, connector, visualizer, includer and creative. In addition to the People’s Choice Award, #RunningDry is a finalist in the “campaigner” category for its powerful 100-day campaign to demonstrate a 100 per cent commitment to solving the global water crisis.

With the exception of the People’s Choice Award which is determined by public vote, a judging panel of more than 20 experts will determine the seven category winners. All winners will be announced at the SDG Global Festival of Action Awards ceremony in Bonn, Germany on Thursday 02 May at 6pm CET.

“I am immensely honoured that our fabulous #RunningDry community has been selected as a finalist for the UN SDG Action Awards!” beams Mina. “It’s a massive deal and great kudos for our entire community who stepped up to run, donating their distance to help change how we all think about water.”

To vote for #RunningDry please visit https://sdgactionawards.org/initiative/1443. There is no limit on the number of social media platforms you can cast your vote on – so please get voting NOW!

To find out more about what you can do to stop our world from #RunningDry visit:
Website www.minaguli.com
Facebook @MinaGuliWater
Twitter @MinaGuli
Instagram @minaguli

#RunningDry community joins with Mina Guli on marathon 100

International water activist, Mina Guli’s #RunningDry movement came full circle on Monday 11 February, 100 days after Mina kicked off by running the New York Marathon. Having initially started as a solo campaign for Mina to run 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days around the world to raise awareness for the global water crisis, the campaign turned into a movement after marathon 62 when Mina fractured her femur and was no longer able to continue on her own. Thousands of people from more than 44 countries across all 7 continents banded together to cover the distance for Mina, logging a collective distance equal to the distance from the North to South Pole, whilst at the same time pledging to do what they can to save water.

The sport of running was used as a way to highlight water issues around the world. “Over the past 100 days we have seen first-hand the enormous impact on families, communities and economies when taps run dry. But we have also had the privilege of meeting incredible water heroes around the world who are 100 percent committed to helping save our most precious resource,” says Mina Guli.

Starting with the New York City Marathon on the 4th of November 2018, Mina ran a marathon every day, while travelling to run across Europe (UK, France, Italy), Uzbekistan, India, China, Hong Kong, Dubai, the Middle East (Jordan, Palestine, Israel), and South Africa where an acute fracture was identified in her femur. She then went on to Australia before heading back to the USA to finish the 100-day journey back where she started in New York.

“When I broke my leg in Cape Town someone told me an old African proverb – if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together – which perfectly sums up the #RunningDry movement,” says Mina. “Together we have created a movement for change - people around the world stepping up for water saving, and committing to making sure every drop counts.

“From India and China to Uzbekistan and the USA, it’s clear that we still have a lot of work to do. As a member of our community said ‘individually we can make an impact, but together we can change the world!’” says Mina. “Together we’re going to continue this campaign until our planet is no longer #RunningDry.”

Watch this space for an exciting initiative for World Water Day on the 22nd of March from the #RunningDry team. Please continue logging your kilometres for #RunningDry and pledging to do what you can to help save water.

To find out more about the #RunningDry campaign and to log your kilometres, visit Mina’s social media pages.
Website www.minaguli.com
Facebook Mina Guli
Twitter @MinaGuli
Instagram @minaguli

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ABOUT #RunningDry
Mina and #RunningDry are proudly supported by Colgate and Reebok, as well as the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme. Other supporting organizations include the Global Water Partnership and the UN Development Programme.

ABOUT MINA GULI
The founder and CEO of Thirst, Mina Guli is a global leader, entrepreneur and adventurer passionate and committed to making a difference in the world. Following a 15-year career as a world leader in climate change that started with law, but progressed quickly to the World Bank and to co-founding boutique investment firm Peony Capital, Mina established Thirst – a non-profit that is solving the water crisis by changing the way we think about water.
To highlight the global water crisis, in 2016 Mina completed the 7 Deserts Run -- running the equivalent of 40 marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents in 7 weeks. A self-confessed "non-runner", Mina told the stories of some of those affected by the crisis during the run. The success of the expedition encouraged Mina to undertake the 6 River Run in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6. She ran 40 marathons in 40 days down 6 of the world’s great rivers on 6 continents. With media coverage around the world, including on CNN, BBC, ITV, ABC and CCTV, Mina’s messages about water have reached more than 4 billion people, inspiring a generation of water heroes.
Mina has been recognised for her leadership: she has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, one of Australia’s most influential women, and by Fortune Magazine in 2016 alongside Angela Merkel, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and the Pope as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world.

ABOUT THIRST
The #RunningDry campaign is organized by Thirst, an international not-for-profit organization focused on educating and promoting action on and solutions to the water crisis. Since its launch in 2012, Thirst has educated more than 2 million students in China, has had more than 600,000 participants in its innovation competitions and now works with more than 1000 qualified volunteers and has the support of the Chinese Government.
Thirst founder and CEO Mina Guli will undertake the #RunningDry campaign.

Severe injury turns #RunningDry from a campaign into a movement as community rallies to run marathons and raise awareness about global water crisis with 100 marathons in 1 day

CAPE TOWN, January 22, 2019. Mina Guli’s vision for her 100 marathons in 100 days #RunningDry campaign was simple: to make saving water famous. Just over 2 weeks after announcing her injury on social media and completing 62 marathons in 62 days, this vision has become a reality with #RunningDry becoming a worldwide movement.

“The support I have received from around the world has been so humbling - and so inspiring,” says Mina. “I found out yesterday that my original injuries to my femur have become substantially worse!”

The global running and water communities have rallied around Mina and undertaken to complete the remaining marathons for her. They have already logged more than 8500 km of donated kilometres, which has seen #RunningDry trending on Twitter. “#RunningDry is about using the sport of running to get people around the world to pay attention to the water crisis happening around us,” explains Mina.

“I will honestly be forever grateful to every single person, young or old, walker or runner, for taking time out of their lives to help raise awareness for the global water crisis that we are facing,” says Mina. “I have always said that I want to make saving water so famous that it’s no longer the right thing to do, but the only thing to do. That dream is now becoming a reality!”

On Sunday 27 January, the #RunningDry community will attempt 100 marathons in 1 day - worldwide. 100 marathons in 1 day for 1 reason: water. To take part, supporters will simply run or walk a marathon (or part of a marathon) and log their distance on social media with the hashtag #RunningDry. The marathons will be taking place all over the world, linked together by #RunningDry. Supporters are encouraged to share water facts (available on Mina’s website) and invite their friends to join. To date, the biggest running day has logged 1800km for #RunningDry (42 marathons), so 4200km in one day is an ambitious goal - but one that Mina feels certain the community will rise to.

“There’s an African proverb that says, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Well, I’ve gone about as far as I can alone. The next 25 days of #RunningDry are all about collective action.”

Even more committed to the cause since sustaining her injury, Mina will be traveling to the USA from Australia, where she will be spreading her #RunningDry message, as well as meeting with communities already affected by the water crisis and water heroes searching for solutions to this crisis.

To find out more about the #RunningDry campaign and to log your kilometres, visit Mina’s social media pages.
Website www.minaguli.com
Facebook Mina Guli
Twitter @MinaGuli
Instagram @minaguli

100 MARATHONS IN 100 DAYS:
MINA GULI MORE THAN 1/3 OF THE WAY THROUGH HER GLOBAL RUN

We are using water faster than it is able to be replenished;
#RunningDry Campaign Raises Awareness, Urges Change

December 6, 2018. On the 4th of November at the New York Marathon, international water advocate, Mina Guli, set out on the ambitious individual challenge of running 100 marathons in 100 days to highlight the global water crisis. Having already completed more than 30 of the 100 marathons, through the UK, France, Italy, Uzbekistan and India, Mina has experienced first-hand ‘choke points’ that are feeling the impact of the emerging global water crisis. Following her final run in India today in Mumbai, Mina now heads to Hong Kong and China.

“My journey so far has allowed me to meet so many incredible people and to see the real effects that water shortages are already having on our world,” says Mina. “For many of us, we don’t have a real concept of where our water comes from. We simply turn on a tap and the water is there. To meet children as young as 3 years old walking more than 2km a day to collect water has given me a real appreciation of just how precious water really is.”

Mina’s passion to change how people think about water and have a world where there is enough water for everyone forever is what keeps her going. She has been meeting with local water heroes within each of the regions she is visiting. These water heroes are people who are devoting their time and energy to making a difference to the global water crisis.

“In the UK, for example, I was joined on one of my runs by Dr Liz Goodwin of the World Resource Institute. Liz ran12.3km with me to represent SDG 12.3 which is the sustainable consumption and production patterns,” says Mina. “I learnt from Liz that if we stopped all food wastage we would be able to save 18% of the world’s water, which is a staggering number if you consider that less than 1% of the earth's water is useable by plants, animals and humans as the rest is "locked" in the oceans, ice caps, glaciers etc. We need to stop living as though everything can be replaced and start placing value on our precious resources.”

So how is she feeling after 30 marathons in 30 days? “Exhausted!” she laughs, “But inspired.” Mina, a 48-year old Australian who is based in Hong Kong, is no stranger to long runs. The #RunningDry Expedition follows the 2016 7 Deserts campaign and the 6 River Run in 2017, which saw Mina complete the equivalent of 40 marathons in 40 days down six of the world’s great rivers. Mina aims to create a global community of water savers and change the way we use and think about water. People can follow her journey on social media where she’ll be documenting the entire expedition.

“As a society, we hold the power,” says Mina. “With that power we need to encourage companies and governments to make a real change in the way we not only use, but also view our precious and incredibly scarce water supply.”

Human civilization is facing an unprecedented crisis: a projected 40% shortfall in the availability of fresh water by 2030 under current business-as-usual projections of population and economic growth.

To follow Mina’s journey and find out how you can make a real difference in solving our water crisis visit:

• Website www.minaguli.com
• Facebook @MinaGuliWater
• Twitter @MinaGuli
• Instagram @minaguli

###

ABOUT #RunningDry
Mina and #RunningDry are proudly supported by Colgate and Reebok, as well as the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme. Other supporting organizations include the Global Water Partnership and the UN Development Programme.

ABOUT MINA GULI
The founder and CEO of Thirst, Mina Guli is a global leader, entrepreneur and adventurer passionate and committed to making a difference in the world. Following a 15-year career as a world leader in climate change that started with law, but progressed quickly to the World Bank and to co-founding boutique investment firm Peony Capital, Mina established Thirst – a non-profit that is solving the water crisis by changing the way we think about water.

To highlight the global water crisis, in 2016 Mina completed the 7 Deserts Run -- running the equivalent of 40 marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents in 7 weeks. A self-confessed "non-runner", Mina told the stories of some of those affected by the crisis during the run. The success of the expedition encouraged Mina to undertake the 6 River Run in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6. She ran 40 marathons in 40 days down 6 of the world’s great rivers on 6 continents. With media coverage around the world, including on CNN, BBC, ITV, ABC and CCTV, Mina’s messages about water have reached more than 4 billion people, inspiring a generation of water heroes.

Mina has been recognised for her leadership: she has been named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, one of Australia’s most influential women, and by Fortune Magazine in 2016 alongside Angela Merkel, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and the Pope as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world.

ABOUT THIRST
The #RunningDry campaign is organized by Thirst, an international not-for-profit organization focused on educating and promoting action on and solutions to the water crisis. Since its launch in 2012, Thirst has educated more than 2 million students in China, has had more than 600,000 participants in its innovation competitions and now works with more than 1000 qualified volunteers and has the support of the Chinese Government.
Thirst founder and CEO Mina Guli will undertake the #RunningDry campaign.

World Faces 40 Percent Shortage of Water in 12 years;
#RunningDry Campaign Raises Awareness, Urges Change

At yesterday’s New York Marathon, water advocate and ultra-runner Mina Guli laced up her running shoes to call attention to the global water crisis by starting her mammoth project of running 100 marathons in 100 days for one reason – water. The world is facing a projected 40% shortfall between supply and demand for water by 2030 – just 12 years from now. The #RunningDry campaign will see the former lawyer and investment banker travel around the world while running a marathon a day to tell some of the world’s most pressing water stories as well highlight the everyday heroes working to solve this problem.

#RunningDry launched at the New York City Marathon yesterday, November 4. Over the course of the expedition, Mina will run in England, France, Italy, Uzbekistan and the Aral Sea, India, Hong Kong, China, Dubai, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Mexico, before she completes the expedition by running across the United States to finish her 100th marathon in New York City on February 11, 2019.

“My runs are a call to the world to join together to save water,” explains Mina. “The water we need to live, to survive, is running out. We’re calling this #RunningDry because we need to bring home the severity of the crisis we are facing. It is for this reason that I have chosen to do the unthinkable: running 100 marathons in 100 days around the world to show what a 100% commitment to water looks like. We can all help solve the world’s water crisis. Each one of us is able to make a difference.”

Mina, a 48-year old Australian who is based in Hong Kong, is no stranger to long runs. The #RunningDry Expedition follows the 2016 7 Deserts campaign and the 6 River Run in 2017, which saw Mina complete the equivalent of 40 marathons in 40 days down six of the world’s great rivers. Mina aims to create a global community of water savers and change the way we use and think about water. People can follow her journey on social media where she’ll be documenting the entire expedition.

Throughout her runs, Mina and the #RunningDry team will meet with some of the people most affected by the global water crisis as well as with companies, organizations and people who are innovating to solve it. 

“As a society, we hold the power,” says Mina. “With that power we need to encourage companies and governments to make a real change in the way we not only use, but also view our precious and incredibly scarce water supply.”

Human civilization is facing an unprecedented crisis: a projected 40% shortfall in the availability of fresh water by 2030 under current business-as-usual projections of population and economic growth.

“This crisis will unfold in a series of ‘choke point’ locations around the world, created by a confluence of population pressure, irrigation agriculture and climate change,” explains Mina. “If unchecked, it will greatly exacerbate the frequency of famine, population displacement and armed conflict. The World Economic Forum ranks water crises among the top global societal risks in terms of impact.

“The impacts of these choke points will be felt globally through food and commodity supply chains, as well as security threats. Conversely, addressing this crisis head-on presents a major opportunity to promote peace in unstable regions, to manage corporate risk in key commodity supply chains, and avert humanitarian crises.”

To follow Mina’s journey and find out how you can make a real difference in solving our water crisis visit:
Website www.minaguli.com
Facebook @MinaGuliWater
Twitter @MinaGuli
Instagram @minaguli