100 Miles. A missing toenail, knee pain, and asthma. This sounds like a mixture for disaster but Rich Reaves, a local resident and campus pastor for Northland Christian School in Houston, is ready for the challenge. Reaves will be running in the Rocky Racoon 100-Mile Ultramarathon in Huntsville, TX on February 6 with a goal to raise $7500 to build clean water wells in underdeveloped countries.

Rich is confident that he will make it past the finish line, not because it will be easy, but because he is committed to pushing through. “The race really becomes mental. You go through your battles in the race and keep going, just like in life.” This is more than just a run for Reaves who can no longer run on pavement due to health problems; this run is spiritual and emotional for him. He puts on his iPod, listening to worship music as he runs “alone” and knows that each step he takes is for a greater purpose. This time to raise money to fund water projects in developing countries through ‘MyCharity: Water.’

“I found the non-profit organization ‘Charity Water’ and I wanted to do something to fight injustice,” Reaves said. “This is one of the easiest to prevent and the most affordable. It takes so little money to literally save human lives, to provide people with clean water. This really has become my passion, and it really goes with running.”

Reaves will have to finish the 100 mile race in under 30 hours, and hopes to finish in 22-24. Due to its length the ultramarathon will take place at night, in conditions Reaves prefers. “I find it easier at night,” he said. “You can’t see the big hill ahead of you; only your next step. I find that the spiritual application just fits.”

Normally Reaves does not talk about his running but saw the opportunity to raise money to save lives, to get people’s attention and help those in need. This pastor from NW Houston knows that with God all things are possible, and while he only has eight days left there is hope that God will multiply the current donations totalling $750, ten times to reach his goal of $7500.

He is asking people to donate per mile or as a one time sum, no amount of which is too small or too large. Anyone can make a difference in someone else’s life. As Rich shared, “Everybody has a talent. Whatever it may be, use it. It can always be used for something good.”

To learn more about ‘MyCharity: Water’ or to make a donation to Reaves’ campaign please visit www.mycharitywater.org/runrichrun. This is a chance to save a life and support Rich before he reaches the finish line.