For the third year in a row the Gazelle Foundation was selected as one of the charities for the 2011 Austin Marathon’s 26 for 26 Charities. In 2008 and 2009 the Foundation served a water stop along the Austin Marathon course, passing out water and Powerade to race participants. The 26 for 26 program has given the platform to raise over $20,000 in the past two years through challenges from it’s Executive Director Gilbert Tuhabonye. In ’08, Tuhabonye finished second overall amongst 5,000+ marathon participants and in ’09 he finished fourth.

Over the past three years 26 Miles for 26 Charities has provided an opportunity for a number of local charities to participate in the marathon through servicing water stops and raising money for their various causes. In 2009 the charity list included Lance Armstrong Foundation, Communities in Schools, Marathon Kids, and Dell Children’s Medical Center.

On Thursday, May 20th Gilbert Tuhabonye – Founder of the Gazelle Foundation – was officially sworn in as a citizen of the United States. It was 1996 when he first arrived in the U.S. having made a miraculous recovery from the horrific events that happened to him and his classmates in 1993 at their school in Burundi. Tuhabonye was participating in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, even getting to carry the torch before the opening ceremonies. He went on to become a national champion runner at Abilene Christian University, was invited to the White House, had the opportunity to meet and receive an award from Muhammed Ali, and now resides in Austin with his wife Triphine and their two daughters, Emma and Grace.

Over the years hundreds if not thousands have professed the various ways Tuhabonye has inspired them through his retelling of his genocide survival, his ability to forgive and not look back, and his desire to always give to others. Through his book “This Voice in My Heart”, his running group “Gilbert’s Gazelles”, and the Gazelle Foundation he is able to give to so many, including providing his home country with the ability for the first time ever to access clean water on a daily basis through the Songa Water Project.

Congratulations, Gilbert, and we could not be more excited for you and your family.

The official date has been set for the 2010 Run for the Water 10 Miler and 5K. Austin’s favorite race will be spookier than ever this year with the events taking place on Sunday, October 31.

Over 2,000 runners participated in 2009 and we’re excited for a bigger and better race this year. Check back for more information in the coming months, and make sure to visit www.runforthewater.com so that you can be the first to sign up when registration opens!