On March 21, 43 runners gathered at the ING Georgia Marathon not for athletic glory but for something much more important—to raise money and awareness for Samaritan's Purse clean water projects around the world.

The Georgia Marathon was the first official event for Team Samaritan’s Purse, a collection of athletes who raise funds for Samaritan’s Purse projects around the world by competing in marathons, cycling races, triathlons, and other events.

Learn more about Team Samaritan's Purse.

In addition to long hours spent training for the marathon or half-marathon in Georgia, the Team SP runners also set up their own fund-raising pages and solicited donations. In total, they raised over $17,000, money that will be used to provide safe, clean water for needy people around the world.

“We are so grateful for all those that took up the challenge to raise money and awareness for the need for clean water,” said Team SP coordinator Darren Mullenix. “It was a great weekend of meeting new ministry friends and forming bonds with a great group of people. Looking ahead to next year, we anticipate doubling or tripling the number of participants and tripling the impact around the world.”

An additional 35 people picked up Team SP shirts at the marathon’s health and fitness expo the day before the event. Some wore them to compete in the event. They included Wener Vieux, a runner from Haiti, where Samaritan's Purse continues to work in the aftermath of January’s devastating earthquake.

The race began at 7 a.m., with cold temperatures and a light rainfall. The course was hilly and challenging, but the runners persevered to the finish line.

“It was a great day, and we were so thrilled and delighted to exhaust ourselves for a great cause and great God,” said Julia Tobias, who ran a career-best time and qualified for the Boston marathon.

Next up for Team SP is the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and Half Marathon on May 2. Twenty-six runners have signed up and are raising money for Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh. The hospital serves some of the poorest people in the world who have no other access to health care. Funds will be used to upgrade medical equipment at the hospital.

The Atlanta and Cincinnati marathons are not the only places where Team Samaritan's Purse athletes are making a difference. Others are competing in local events, raising money for Samaritan's Purse programs they care about deeply. To date, 69 people have raised over $34,000 for projects ranging from HIV/AIDS ministry to an orphanage in Honduras.

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