Chicago Race Director puts International Water Crisis into Local Perspective

CHICAGO - Aug. 11, 2015 - PRLog -- CHICAGO (August 11, 2015) – Six kilometers (3.72 miles) is the average distance children in Africa have to walk for water that is often unsafe to drink. Every day, nearly 1,600 children under 5 die from diarrhea caused by dirty water, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene. Rusty Funk, Race Director for World Vision’s 6K for Water, hopes to bring awareness and action to this issue by igniting the 6K Everyday Challenge.

Funk, a resident of the Chicago South Loop, will travel 3.72 mi from his home to Chicago’s Oak Street Beach to collect 40lbs. of water from Lake Michigan and then make the arduous 3.72 mi trip back home with the water on his backevery day leading up to the 6K for Water event in Chicago on August 22, 2015. “World Vision reaches a new person with clean water every 30 seconds, but millions more are still in need, this challenge will hopefully help people put that into a local perspective and consider joining us on August 22,” says Funk.

The challenge will begin on August 4, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. and repeat at the same time every day leading up to the 6K for Water race. Funk will chronicle his journey via Facebook providing supporters daily proof of every water run and excerpts of his experience. “By doing this from my home every day just like the people we serve in Africa, this cause becomes personal to me,”says Funk. “It's a way I can physically sacrifice on behalf of these children and bring awareness to their needs.”

You can join Rusty Funk on his journey at: www.facebook.com/6Keverydaychallenge

6K FOR WATER DETAILS:

Estimated Participants: 2,000

Race Details: Chip-timed, age group awards, participant t-shirts, goodie bags, finisher’s medalsand unique race bib to each participant with a photo of a child who will gain access to clean water through their $50 registration.

Event Name: World Vision 6K for Water

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2015

Time: 9:00 am

Location: Montrose Harbor

Learn more or register: WorldVision6K.org

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About World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/):
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Learn more at http://worldvision.org.