Ultrarunner Takes on Colorado River Crisis in 2,000-Mile Athletic Feat to Drive Action on Water Crisis

• Water crisis threatens more than $1.4T in annual GDP
• ~2,000 mile run will trace the entire Colorado River
• Cross-sector summits in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles
• Campaign culminates September 2026 at Santa Monica Pier

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the Colorado River basin facing an ever-worsening crisis, global water advocate Mina Guli, the Thirst Foundation, Grundfos and the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC) today kicked off "Keep the River Running," a campaign combining a 2,000-mile run with cross-sector summits to accelerate solutions to a crisis threatening more than $1.4 trillion in annual economic activity.

The Colorado River is a critical economic engine, supporting 40 million people, 16 million jobs, and industries spanning agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and technology. But after decades of drought, overuse, and aging infrastructure, flows have declined by approximately 20% since 2000, while demand continues to exceed supply. The result is growing risk not only across the American West, but for supply chains, businesses, and economic stability nationwide.

Guli, Thirst, Grundfos and WRC are helping translate awareness into action through this campaign, convening leaders across business, utilities, agriculture, and government to advance practical solutions, from improving water efficiency and reducing system losses to strengthening infrastructure resilience.

Guli Embarks on Longest Single-River Run to Date

"I’m running the length of the Colorado River to show that we are capable of the hard things necessary to solve the worsening water crisis," said Guli. "From the source to the sea, we are lifting up the voices of those on the frontlines: farmers, businesses, communities and Tribal Nations. Their stories can show how we can restore the Colorado River and safeguard water, energy and economic security for tens of millions in the American West.”

Guli, an ultramarathon runner and global water advocate, has logged more than 25,000 miles to raise awareness of global water challenges. “Keep the River Running” will be her longest single-river run to date. This campaign builds on Mina’s previous global advocacy campaigns, including running 200 marathons in one year ahead of the 2023 UN Water Conference in New York to draw attention to the global water crisis. During that journey, she ran around Lake Mead, where the reservoir’s white “bathtub rings” became a powerful symbol of the Colorado River’s decline. Her work has also helped mobilize the world’s largest movement for water, with people participating in previous activations across more than 200 countries and territories.

Summits & Community Runs to Drive Collective Action

Along the route, Guli, Thirst, Grundfos, WRC, and partners will host a series of summits in Denver (June 18), Las Vegas (Aug. 14), Phoenix (Sept. 1), and Los Angeles (Sept. 17), bringing together business leaders, policymakers, NGOs, and Tribal representatives to move beyond discussion and drive coordinated action.

“I want all of us to come together as one single community and recognize that water affects all of us,” Guli said. ”We need to put our differences aside and collaborate to solve this together.”

“The Colorado River is foundational to the American West’s economy,” said Grundfos US Country President Ansell Sims. “Protecting it requires action across sectors, improving how we use water, modernizing infrastructure, and working together to ensure long-term resilience for generations to come."

In addition to the summits, there will be two community runs designed to engage local audiences along the route. In Boulder on June 20, Runner’s Roost will host a free 5K run and gathering with Guli, bringing together the local running community for an informal kickoff. A second community run will take place in Los Angeles on September 18 ahead of the campaign’s culmination at the Santa Monica Pier, creating additional opportunities to build awareness and connect communities directly to the campaign’s message.

For more information and key dates on Keep the River Running, visit www.keeptheriverrunning.com.

Photos for media use of Mina Guli's previous ultra-running campaigns for water and rivers are available here.

About the Thirst Foundation

Mina Guli founded Thirst in 2012 as a nonprofit focused on changing how we think about water, following a 15-year career in law, finance, and climate change. Her Run Blue campaign built the largest grassroots movement for water in history with a series of 200 marathons and participation from over 200 countries. Thirst Foundation has educated more than 2 million students, collaborates with over 400 schools, and has over 900 qualified volunteers teaching its programs. It works to mobilize governments and companies to prioritize water sustainability. Guli served as ambassador for the historic 2023 UN Water Conference and has mobilized global corporate and grassroots commitments to feed directly into the UN’s Water Action Agenda. Learn more at www.minaguli.com.

About Grundfos

Grundfos pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improves the quality of life for people. As a leading global pump and water solutions company, we promise to respect, protect, and advance the flow of water by providing energy and water efficient solutions and systems for water utilities, industries, and buildings worldwide. Learn more at www.grundfos.com.

About the Water Resilience Coalition

The Water Resilience Coalition is an industry driven, CEO led initiative of the CEO Water Mandate. It focuses on preserving the world’s freshwater resources through collective action in water stressed regions and ambitious, measurable commitments. Learn more at https://ceowatermandate.org/resilience/.