Hi! I’m John Penrice. Thanks for stopping by. I am runner living in the Detroit, Michigan area. In the world of road racing, I am considered a Senior Grand Master. That may sound like I’ve accomplished great things in my running career, but all it means is that I am an old guy. (60+) I have been running for fun and fitness for 10 years. I’ve run 2 marathons, a 30K, 15 half-marathons, 2 ten-milers, and more 5K and 10K races than I care to count. I have a shadow box full of medals, finish line photos, and and race bibs which, while nice, turn out not to be as fulfilling as I once thought they were. This year I have decided to run for a different and much more important reason – to help provide clean water to people in Africa.
On October 8th I will be a running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon which is 26.2 mile run through the streets of Chicago. I am doing it to help children in need on the other side of the the world. I was inspired to run with Team World Vision after learning that nearly 1,600 children under the age of 5 die every day from diarrhea caused by dirty water, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene. World Vision is providing a new person with clean water every 10 seconds and the funds I raise through this race will help provide clean water to some of those children.
Through World Vision’s water projects, $50 brings clean water for a lifetime to one person. I have committed to a goal of raising $7,500 – clean water for 150 people. My motivation as I run will be knowing, if this goal is met, that for every mile I run more people will have clean water for life!
These funds will bring clean water that frees children from deadly disease and liberates women and children from a life spent gathering dirty water. It restores health and opens the door to education, a promising future, and a full life.
If you’re able to help with a donation, that’s great! But whether you can or not, I invite you to follow me on my journey as I work through an 18 week training program to prepare for the race. Along the way I will be sharing my thoughts about running, clean water, life, and whatever else I’m thinking about as I train. I hope you’ll join me!
Click here to help me and Team World Vision provide clean water to families in Africa. Just $50 provides clean water for one person for life!