Stories from Asia
The team’s journey through Asia spanned diverse regions, from Central Asia to Southeast Asia, with a focus on the vital rivers that sustain life across the continent.
In Central Asia, the our attention was on the Amu Darya River, tracing its path from source to sea. In Uzbekistan, we explored the Aral Sea and its environmental and health impacts, while in Tajikistan, Mina ran along the Zeravshan, Panj, and Fedchenko Glaciers. The team also took part in a community run for water in Dushanbe, ahead of the Dushanbe Water Process.
After the holiday break, the team moved on to Southeast Asia, kicking off 2023 with six marathons in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam. Here, the focus was on the significance of the Mekong River to local communities and the complex challenges facing the region. During this leg, Mina also reached her 150th marathon, marking 75% of her 200-marathon goal.
The team then traveled to India, starting in Delhi with a busy week of marathons, storytelling, and engagement. The flag-off in Delhi, in partnership with Bayer, was attended by India’s G20 Sherpa. From Delhi, the team traveled to Varanasi to highlight the story of the Ganga River, before wrapping up the India leg in Mumbai, where Mina participated in the Mumbai Marathon.
The Aral Sea
“First, the sea left the people, then the people left the sea.”- Ali Shaddinov, Fisherman. On this next leg of Run Blue, the team visited the Aral Sea - or what’s left of it. While Mina runs among the boneyard of shipwrecked boats, we talk to locals about the devastating consequences of climate change.
The Amu Darya River
Run Blue continues in Central Asia, with early mornings, extreme heat, and big expectations.
dushanbe, Tajikistan
Mina Guli's speech to delegates at the Dushanbe Water Process conference
Chubek, Tajikistan
the vanj river, Tajikistan
Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan
Mekong River Delta, Viet Nam
The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, providing food, water, and energy for millions of people in Viet Nam and beyond. It is home to an abundance of fish and other wildlife and supports a rich culture and vibrant economy.
But the Mekong is under threat. Unsustainable industry practices, climate change, sand mining, and other environmental threats have put this great river at risk.
The Ganga River, India
'Pavan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dharat Mahat' means the air is the teacher, the water is the father, and the earth is the great mother which provides. No words can describe what a catastrophe it would be not only for India but for the world if the River Ganga ceases to exist in the way it should, explained Ripudaman when Team Run Blue visited the Ganga.
The Ganges River, also known as the Ganga, is one of the most important and sacred rivers in India. The river is not only important for its religious significance but also for its ecological importance. But it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, with industrial and agricultural waste, as well as human sewage, contaminating the water.