Docklands has been chosen as the Australian venue and “Showcase Event’ for the Dow Live Earth Run for Water, a global environmental participation event that will see a series of 6km run/walks that will take place around the world, in hundreds of countries over the course of 24 hours.

Aimed at helping solve local and global water issues with the length of the 6 km run or walk the average distance women and children in the developing world can walk each day to find secure water.

The run signifies the second global Live Earth event, which follows on from the hugely successful Live Earth concert series that was held around the globe on 07/07/07. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water event at Docklands will continue with a concert and water education activities.

Carl Lewis, American track and field Olympic Athlete and World Champion has lent his support to the cause and 3008 asked him a few questions about this special event.

Why was Melbourne chosen as a world Showcase Event for the Dow
Live Earth Run for Water?

One of the main reasons is due to the drought Victorians and Australians have been affected by, you understand what a lack of water means, and this is an issue that the whole world has to deal with. It’s not someone else’s problem, it’s all of ours, we can’t just take off and go to Mars, so we have to come together.

How was the connection between a sporting event and raising funds for water brought about?

I think there is a direct connection. Sport is an amazing way to bring people together and the actual event replicates the distance walked each day on average in the developing world to find clean water; it helps us all to understand the plight of other people. This event is not about racing each other, it’s about spreading the message and knowing that others across the world are doing the same thing.

How many people do you anticipate will take part over the 24 hour period
of the event?

It’s impossible to say but from hundreds of thousands to millions of people.
People are signing up all the time and I urge all your readers to as well.

What have you been doing Carl since retiring from professional sport?

I travel a lot and I am involved with my business Fit Forever and many different things. I lend my name and support to events like this especially in regards to the environment and people in need. I am thrilled to help with this run for water, I jumped on board.

Do you have a message you would like to send to the people of Docklands and Melbourne?

Take a look at yourself and then and take a moment to look at the life of someone else. I ask you to open your heart and do what you can to be involved in this great event to help others; you just never know when you might need the rest of the world to help you!

April 18 at 10am – 3pm at Waterfront City, Docklands
To register and find out more about
Live Earth and the race, please go to
www.liveearth.org and
www.runforwateraustralia.com.