In observance of World Water Day 2010, the Virgin Islands Environmental Council announced that the British Virgin Islands will be one of the international locations taking part in the largest worldwide water initiative on record to help combat the global water crisis.

The Dow Live Earth Run for Water will take place April 18, 2010, and consist of a series of 6km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk everyday to secure water. The run will extend over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, and feature concerts and water education activities aimed at igniting a tipping point to help solve the water crisis.

The BVI’s Dow Live Earth Run for Water event will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 18, at Long Bay, West End on the island of Tortola. The race will begin at the front lawn of Long Bay Hotel, goes over to Smuggler’s Cove beach and back. It includes a loop around the lower Palm Road in both directions. Entry fee is $10/adult and $5/child.

VIEC coordinator for the run, Noni Georges, stated, ‘The world water crisis is among the great challenges of our time. But we can all work towards finding solutions. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water event in Tortola will serve as a catalyst to rally the community around the critical issue of water scarcity and empower residents to be part of the solution.’