Water runner arrives in Brussels

More than one billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water, but David Chrištof is hoping to do his bit to change that. The amateur Czech runner is two-thirds of the way through his Run For Safe Drinking Water: a 1,200km journey from Prague to London. The goal of this gargantuan effort, which began on June 18, is to raise awareness about the safe drinking water crisis. The German School in Prague, where Chrištof teaches English, organised the run.

He is currently in Brussels, where he will visit the Water For Everyone exhibition at the Atomium. From Brussels, he will run to Diksmuide in West Flanders, before embarking on the final stretch of his journey: from Calais via Dover to London, where he will arrive on July 22.

In total, Chrištof have run for approximately five weeks across the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and the UK, reaching the British capital a few days before the start of the Olympic Games. “I want to raise enough money to provide safe drinking water for 333 people,” says the 33-year old, who has already run 21 marathons and 13 ultra-marathons, “but I also hope that people learn more about the need for safe drinking water.” So, could this become an annual event? “I am running to the Olympic Games, so I might do a similar event every four years,” he says.

Throughout his journey he has been covering 30 to 44km a day while pushing a pushchair that holds all his essentials. He lodges with people who are sympathetic to the cause and talks in schools about the world water crisis. He is collecting donations through a secure donation website, with all the money received going directly to Blue Planet Network, a non-profit foundation that funds safe drinking water projects around the world.

To donate, go to www.blueplanetnetwork.org/waterheroes/david

Chrištof’s progress can be followed on www.facebook.com/WaterIsLife