The student chapter of Engineers Without Borders at Missouri University of Science and Technology is gearing up for its fourth annual “Run For Water” 5K on Sunday, March 11, in Ballwin, Mo.

“Run for Water is an extraordinary opportunity for the public to come out and have some fun with our unique organization, while helping us fundraise for our projects in developing countries,” says Levi Noring of Jefferson City, Mo., a junior in civil and architectural engineering and EWB treasurer.

The 3.1-mile, 5-kilometer event will take place once again at Queeny Park, located at 550 Weidman Rd. Individuals, families, clubs and businesses interested in walking or running are encouraged to register online at onestoprace.com. Sponsored by Ameren Missouri, last year’s race raised more than $6,000 and 160-plus runners enjoyed bagels and Gatorade, thanks to donations from Einstein’s Bagel Co. and Pepsi Co.

This year all participants will receive a free technical running shirt with their registration. In addition, each participant will wear an electronic chip, provided by Fleet Feet Sports in St. Louis, to record race times.

“This advanced method of timing is more accurate than event workers recording the times by hand, and it’s especially efficient when many runners are finishing a race in one big group,” says Grace Harper of Wentzville, Mo., a senior in geological engineering and EWB president.

The funds raised will benefit S&T’s EWB chapter, a service learning organization that assists people in developing countries with water quality issues, and help to support student travel and materials for the construction of projects in Guatemala, Bolivia and Honduras.

“All four of our community projects have a potable water component,” says Justin Levy of St. Louis, a sophomore in geology and EWB fundraising chair. “As one of our Honduras community members put it, ‘water is life.’ Our 5K Run for Water is a great opportunity for our organization to reach out to St. Louis community, spread the word about our organization, and have some fun doing it.”

Registrations received before March 4 will receive a $5 discount off the regular $35 entry fee. Check in starts at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event and the race starts at 10 a.m. Medals will be awarded to the top three participants in various age groups.

Founded in 2004, Missouri S&T’s EWB chapter includes more than 100 members.