Group To Walk 50 Miles To National Mall For Clean Water Access

VIENNA, VA — You may remember Alex Covell and his team from last year's 50-mile walk from Vienna to Baltimore. On Saturday, the group is doing another 50-mile walk from Purcellville to the National Mall in DC. The route is different but the cause is the same: clean water access.

Covell and the group are raising money for World Vision International, which supports clean water projects in developing countries. The walk starts at the W&OD Trailhead at 3:30 a.m., and they expect to arrive at the National Mall around 9 p.m.

"We were inspired to do this walk because of the staggering number of people who lack access to clean water, a resource us in the developed world don't think twice about," said Covell in an email.

By walking this 50-mile distance, the group raises awareness about how many people can walk long distances just to get unclean water. The World Health Organization estimates 785 million people don't have a basic drinking water service. Unsafe drinking water, as well as sanitation and hygiene, are major contributors to deaths from diarrheal diseases. An estimated 829,000 people die from diarrhea each year, which WHO believes are preventable by addressing the contributing factors.

So far, the 50-mile walk group raised over $17,000 of their $50,000 goal. According to the fundraising page, $50,000 can provide 1,000 more people with clean water access for life.

WorldVision has provided clean water to 3.2 million people and counting.