Mina Guli, a global athlete and founder of Thirst, a water conservation project focused on educating consumers, stops by the studio to discuss running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise awareness about the world’s water crisis. She explains the world’s current water situation and what each of us can do to make a difference.
Mina talks about her passion: “I do this because I’m really committed to solving our water crisis. Water is the biggest risk facing our generation. Over 40% of the world’s population right now is living in conditions of water scarcity, and I don’t think that’s an acceptable place for our planet to be. The sad part about it is that it is going to get worse in the future. Experts predict that by 2030 there will be a 40% greater demand of water than the supply of water available.”
“I’ve done a bunch of running in extreme places, and one day, at the end of one of my runs I was sitting talking to a Bedouin in the desert in Jordan,” Mina continues. “We were just chatting about water and this guy told me, ‘Mina, water is a major issue for us. Every day we have to go out and try to find water, and many days we don’t find water at all. I don’t fear that the next world war will be fought over terrorism or oil. I’m afraid that the next world war will be fought over water.’” Hearing personal stories like these is what’s inspired Mina to fight for change.
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“A big part of this is us not understanding that water has an immense value. Water touches our lives not only because we need it to live. We need it to power our lights, to grow the cotton that gives us our clothes. We need water to give food and our homes. Without water we have nothing. … When we take things for granted, we take water for granted. When we treat things as if they have no value, water has no value. And that’s when we run into trouble.”
Father Dave asks Mina her to explain the purpose of the 100 marathons. “Every single day, I’m going to run 26.2 miles. I’ve done 40 in 40 days, but I have never done 100 in 100. … For me, setting these targets is about demonstrating what it means to be 100% committed to something. It is also about showing the art of what is possible when we believe in something strongly enough. … The pain in my feet, the blisters, the exhaustion and fear, when you have belief or faith in something all of those things dwindle to nothingness.”
Last week, on the Feast of All Saints, Father Dave preached a homily about the New York City Marathon, which was the kick-off race in Mina’s 100 marathons in 100 days challenge. You can listen to it here. (Original Air 11-01-18)