Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

THE MOMENT I REALISED MY LIFE WILL CHANGE.

It’s no secret that I grew up through 10 years of drought here in Australia. Everywhere there were reminders of the scarcity of water. The hardship of both nature and those depending on it – farmers, communities, supply chains.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

YOUR MILES CAN CHANGE A LIFE.

Right now we’re washing our hands, our clothes and the surfaces around our home more than ever. For most of us, the process is relatively straightforward – we do it without a second thought: tap on, hands underneath, apply soap and sing happy birthday while we scrub.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

SDG ACTION AWARDS FINALIST

I am so honoured that the #RunningDry movement has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious UN SDG Action Awards.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

THIS WORLD WATER DAY, LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND

I’m often asked why I run, and how running relates to water. For me, personally, it’s about doing the one thing I know I can do (over and over, every day) that will help to shine a spotlight on the global water crisis. But the #RunningDry community has shown me that there’s more to running than that… When people come together to run (or walk) for water, they talk about the issue. They connect and discuss and share tips and ideas. And there is such worth and power in that.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

STEP UP FOR WATER

We are in the final week of #RunningDry! I can hardly believe it. Together, this amazing #RunningDry community logged over 201 marathons for our 100 marathons in 1 day challenge. 201! That’s a staggering 8495,3km from 44 countries and territories around the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

TELLING AMERICAN WATER STORIES

Since we arrived in America for our final leg of #RunningDry, we’ve been meeting so many extraordinary water heroes. Check out my Instagram feed if you haven’t already, to see our daily adventures. I’ve been struck, time and again, by the resilience of the people we’ve met: how they’ve come up with such creative solutions to their water problems, and are thriving despite it all.

Read More
Schalk van der Merwe Schalk van der Merwe

4 WAYS TO MAKE UP A MARATHON

Sunday is a big day for #RunningDry - we’re attempting what would have seemed impossible at the beginning of this campaign: 100 marathons in just 1 day. But I really believe we can do it… Together. For those who aren’t natural marathon runners (and I would count myself in your company!) here are 4 ways to make up a marathon.

Read More