AUSTIN, Texas — Twenty years ago, Run For The Water began with a simple idea: that runners in Austin could help bring clean water to families in Burundi one mile at a time.
Today, that idea has become one of Austin's most meaningful running traditions — thousands of runners, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters coming together each year to prove that a race can change lives far beyond the finish line.
As Run For The Water prepares to celebrate its milestone 20th anniversary this November, the organization is expanding the team helping bring that experience to life long before runners toe the starting line.
Haley Spinelli joins the campaign as Community Manager, where she will focus on growing participation through local businesses, run clubs, corporate teams, and community partnerships. A longtime supporter of Run For The Water and participant in six of the last eight events, Haley brings firsthand experience with the race and deep roots in Austin's wellness and running communities. Her work will help introduce even more runners, teams, and organizations to Austin's Run For The Water.
Andrea Aguilar-Codina joins the campaign as Social Media Coordinator and will help tell the stories behind the miles — from first-time runners and Kids K participants discovering the event for the first time to longtime runners returning for another year on the course. Through training runs, community events, and participant storytelling, her work will showcase the energy and connection that define Austin's running community and Run For The Water's unique place within it.
"When Run For The Water began twenty years ago, we hoped people would come together around running and community," said Gilbert Tuhabonye, Gazelle Foundation co-founder and a Burundian genocide survivor who ran to freedom before building a life in Austin through running, coaching, and service. "What we've seen is something bigger than that — generations of runners returning year after year, friendships formed volunteering at pick up, and while running the course, and an entire community embracing the idea that your miles change lives far beyond the finish line. As we celebrate twenty years, it's incredible to see what this race has become and exciting to think about what will happen November 8th, and where the next twenty years will take us."
The additions come as Run For The Water prepares for its milestone event on November 8, 2026. Community training runs, run club partnerships, and special events throughout the summer and fall will give participants new opportunities to connect with one another and with the mission that makes every mile matter.
Join us for our milestone 20th year — whether it's your first Run For The Water or your twentieth. Experience one of Austin's favorite running traditions, challenge yourself on our iconic course, celebrate with an incredible community, and be part of every mile that helps bring clean water to families in Burundi.
Twenty years. Thousands of runners. Countless lives changed.
This is one race you won't want to miss.