Hi my name is Mike Benner and this is my first official marathon! My picture above is from an endurance race I participated in last year in Namibia. 6 days and 250kms of extreme heat in the Namib desert gave me a bit of appreciation for just how hard it is to live in many places around the world. This is even more true with climate change's effect on water supplies.

I decided to run with the HOPE Charity team to support their wonderful efforts to bring fresh water to many water-starved communities around the world. HOPE's efforts are truly inspirational and I would be humbled if you would be so kind as to sponsor my run to contribute to HOPE's efforts - saving lives and helping communities develop and prosper.

Check out Hope's programs at

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Please contribute whatever you can and I will do my best to complete this marathon with your kind support.

Thank you!