RunUp4Water
A CELEBRATION EVENT
Why This Event?
In June 2025, Run4Water will host a celebration running event, RunUp4Water, in the Kilimanjaro region.
Elite athletes from around the world and Kilimanjaro Porters will run an out and back race in camaraderie for 12 hours near this beautiful, high-altitude UNESCO heritage site, attempting to cover the most distance in that time. Proceeds from this celebration event will support Kilimanjaro National Park in installing a water tower on Mount Kilimanjaro. This initiative will provide essential resources to assist the porters in their work while helping to protect the mountain's delicate ecosystem.
The Unsung Heroes
Porters working on Mount Kilimanjaro are the unsung heroes who make summiting possible and safe for the estimated 35,000 people who attempt each year. Climbers require an average of 225 pounds of gear with each porter carrying 44 pounds, often at a jog. These ultra-endurance athletes are still often victims of predatory companies who underpay, overwork, and underfeed porters. This race is designed to bring global attention to the athleticism and importance of the porters who make summits possible for international visitors.
Want To Get Involved?
The directing and administrative work for this event are conducted completely pro bono. All donations and sponsorship funds will directly support the event, water pump installation, and/or the porters.
Individual donations can be made through PayPal.
For corporate sponsorship inquiries, please contact Aoife Ryle at aoife@ivanhoedevelopment.com.
We thank you for your generous partnership.
Left to right: Conservation Officer II -Shwahibu, Conservation Ranger III-Emmanuel Mgosha (both of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park), Isaac Zakayo, Greg Armstrong (both from Run4Water.)
The Water Pump
Run4Water is assisting Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) in their efforts to install a water pump allowing water to become more accessible on the mountain. R4W recently met with park officers surveying potential water pump sites that will best suit the park, the porters, and hikers.
Mount Kilimanjaro porters play an important but taxing role in supplying water to the high camps. This project includes installing a water pump at the Karanga River, tanks at the camp, and pipes to move water in and around the camp. This will ensure an efficient water supply, remove a physically demanding task from the porters' workload, and help protect the delicate ecosystem of the Karanga River. This will allow water access higher on the mountain, near the base camp.
Proceeds from the celebration event will go to funding this water project.
Who Is Running?
Check out who is participating in this celebration event!
Harvey Lewis
Harvey Lewis is a high school teacher and accomplished Ultrarunner from Ohio. Harvey has run over 100 ultras across the past 27 years from representing the US 24 Hour Team in the World Championship to journey runs going for the Fastest Known Time across the full length of the Appalachian Trail - 2,190 miles. Harvey has won races ranging from Bigs Backyard World Championship running 450 miles across 4 ½ days to the Badwater 135. He likes running because of the opportunity to connect with others, the amazing environments one can explore on foot and the spiritual aspect of pushing yourself.
Greg Armstrong
Greg Armstrong is a high school teacher at Friendship Christian School in Lebanon, Tn. He teaches Biology, Bible, Environmental Science, and Anatomy and Physiology. Greg has been competing as an ultra-marathon runner since 2009. Since then, he has represented USA as a member of the 2015 USTF 24 hour team, competing in the 24 Hour World championship in Italy. Greg was named "King of the Road" 3 years consecutively in the grueling Vol. State Ultra race. He also completed a solo, self-supported Badwater 146 in July of 2016. Greg, along with his family, combined his two passions of running and providing clean water solutions to create Run4Water. Greg invites others to run with a purpose.
John Hardin
John Hardin is the owner of HardWin Adventures, an outdoor event and adventure company based in Nashville. A lifelong runner and athlete, John has tackled numerous Fastest Known Time (FKT) challenges. Committed to his running community, John has ambitious plans to further support and uplift its members. Hardin is always seeking new adventures and challenges. He constantly sets and attempts big goals that inspire others, pushing the limits of what’s possible and encouraging those around him to strive for their best. His dedication to the running community and his relentless pursuit of new experiences make him a true leader and motivator in the world of outdoor adventures.
Steve Slaby
Steve Slaby, 43 years old from Seattle, WA, USA is a professional civil engineer and contracting officer who started running chasing his Dad around the track as a kid. His running accomplishments include a marathon PR of 2:29, 13th overall running 157 miles in 24hrs at the 2017 IAU 24hr World Championships, running 300 miles in 72 hrs at Big’s Backyard World Team Championships in 2022, and finishing the Plain 100 mile, Hawaii Ultra Running Team 100 mile, Leadville 100, Vermont 100, and Badwater 135 mile races. He is married to ultrarunner Gina Slaby, has two dogs and is an outdoors enthusiast.
Gina Slaby
Gina Slaby is from Seabeck, WA and holds a Business Degree and currently works in the logistics field. Her running career started in 2005 and slowly transitioned from marathoner to ultramarathoner over the last 20 years. As a 2:39 marathoner, she ran in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials with a finish of 31st overall in 2016. She also competed in the 2016 Pan American games with Team USA in Cross Country and contributed to team Gold. Since then, Gina moved up to the ultramarathon distance in 2016 where she set the 100 mile world record. Other accomplishments include: winning USA Team Gold in the IAU 24hrs World Championships in 2017 and 2019.
Tim Forbes
Tim is the executive director of a non-profit organization in Nashville, Tennessee, working with justice involved youth. He has three daughters with his wife, Ann. Tim was the record holder for the inaugural Tennessee Mile 24 Hour Race, Tennessee's toughest mile. Tim has competed in numerous 100 mile races across the country and has completed the Vol State 500K. He says he loves to run because of the lessons it teaches him.
Anthony Battah
Anthony Battah, 40 years old, is a Montreal-based lawyer, practicing in ethics and professional responsibility. Beyond the courtroom, Anthony is a seasoned ultra-distance runner and has developed a deep interest in everything that touches on environmental issues and justice.
Maggie Guterl
Maggie Guterl was born and raised in West Chester, PA, & now resides in Durango, CO. She works full time in marketing for Tailwind Nutrition (a sports nutrition company.) Some of her favorite experiences include being a member of Team USA for the 24 Hour World Championships in Italy in 2015. In 2016, she was top ten at Western States and ran a sub 15 hour 100 miler at Brazos Bend. Maggie was the first female to win Big's Backyard Ultra in 2019 and was the winner of the inaugural Cocodona 250 in 2021. In 2023, she tackled an adventure out of her comfort zone and succeeded in the Fastest Known Time "fast packing" the 160 mile Collegiate Loop in the unsupported category.