The DC*5k*4*H20

Braving the Cold for Safe Water

Amherst, NY, November 16, 2008: It was a typical Buffalo beautiful, blustery, and balmy 35 degree autumn day for the first ever DC*5K*4*H2O (Daemen College 5K Run & Walk for Water). The race was put on by the Daemen College Water Project as the groups major fundraiser to provide better sanitation facilities at a community school in the village of Pulay, Guatemala. The installation of a rain catchment system with handwashing station will be directed by Agua Para La Salud, a nonprofit BPR-Peer Water Exchange Partner in Guatemala, which has successfully completed over 200 projects related to school facilities.

Over 300 runners and walkers registered for the DC*5K*4*H2O, with 250 finishers braving the weather. The course started and finished in front of Daemen College on Main Street and quickly turned ino the tree lined residential streets of Snyder, NY. Racers found the course to be fast and flat with a water station set up at the half way point. Some intrepid spectators even made their way outside to cheer the racers along the course. The male winner was Matthew Roberts with a time of 16:41 for a very impressive 5:22m/mile pace. The first female to cross the line was Jessica Gorski with a time of 19:41. The course was heavily populated with volunteers who made sure to keep the traffic at bay and racers on track.

The entire event was planned to be as environmentally friendly as possible with runners’ race packets consisting of reusable totes instead of plastic bags. The post-race party food and drink was also served using reusable plates and glasses.

Speaking of post race party The DC*5K*4*H2O included a post race event called Water Fest. Water Fest featured a festive water themed atmosphere and fun for all. "Water" movies made by Dr. Young's Global Water Issues Class students were screened on a continuous loop. There was a Chinese Auction with a bevvy of awesome donated items. Free massage's were available to weary racers. And this was all outside the main auditorium! Inside the auditorium was plenty of seating and a beautiful array of food and drinks, inluding beer for those over 21. There were also tables set up for vendors to sell their wares. Entertainment included the classic Frank Sinatra-esque crooning of Alex Frankish. The Daemen College Step Team also put on a lively performance. The event concluded with an awards ceremony - with commemorative BPR baton/plaques going to the 1st 3 male and female finishers in 5 year increments from under 15 to over 70. The top male and female finishers also received BPR fleeces.

The event was completely organized by Daemen College students, and had over 80 volunteers. The overall project leads were; Joanna Barthelemy (Registration), Jason Gross (Oversight, Fundraising, PR), Tim Miller (WaterFest), Julie Neuhror (Marketing, PR), Amanda Townsend (Volunteers). Dr. Brenda Young was the faculty advisor and Chris Malik in the College's administration was very helpful in all aspects of planning. Through a lot of hard work and dedication the DC*5K*4*H2O raised over $6,000 for the village water project in Pulay, Guatemala. The students hope to continue the race for years to come and are in the midst of planning additional fundraisers for the spring semester!

The Daemen College Water Project was formed in the summer of 2008 at Daemen College, a small liberal arts college in Western New York, as a unique collaboration with the Blue Planet Run Foundation to help provide access to clean water to villages around the world. Daemen students are engaging in educational coursework, campus activities and fund-raising to not only increase awareness about the need for clean freshwater worldwide, but also help implement water projects in individual villages. It is hoped that similar models will be picked up by other educational institutions around the world.

If you are interested in creating a program like the Daemen College Water Project,
please contact Blue Planet Run Program Director Sabrina Walasek.