Running 40 Miles of the Appalachian Trail for Clean Water

Fundraising Goal: $500

Brian ran his first marathon at 30 and has since spent over two decades pushing his limits to show what’s possible—both physically and mentally. From his first 50-miler at age 40 to multiple 100-mile races, half Ironman triathlons, and most recently completing the 200-mile Pinhoti Ultra, he leads by example—showing patients, colleagues, and his community what it means to take control of your health.

Now, he’s using that same drive for something even bigger: access to clean water.

Brian is running 40 miles of the New Jersey Appalachian Trail to raise $500 for MissionCleanWater, a nonprofit bringing sustainable, community-led clean water systems to underserved communities in Uganda and across the U.S.

As a physician, Brian knows the impact clean water has on health. As a runner, he knows the power of persistence. By combining both, he’s helping bring clean, reliable water to those who need it most.

At 56 years old, Dr. Brian Schactman is a full-time primary care physician, a father of three, and a lifelong endurance athlete. His story isn’t just about miles—it’s about using every step to inspire others to live healthier, more intentional lives.

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Why Water?

We adventure for clean water because it’s the foundation of everything—health, opportunity, and the ability to thrive. Every mile we cover is symbolic of the miles women and children in underserved communities walk each day just to find water, often unsafe and far from home. Without clean water, schools can’t function, healthcare suffers, and families lose precious time and energy just trying to meet a basic need.

For us, water powers our endurance. For them, it’s a lifeline. We take on these physical challenges to raise awareness, build empathy, and most importantly, bring sustainable clean water solutions to communities who deserve so much more. Our strength comes from water—and everyone deserves access to it.