100 Miles For Clean Water

My name is Jonathan Allen Jr. Most people know I love to run. I’ve been running for over 20 years, but only recently made the switch to longer distances. It started in parks, then moved to the track, then onto trails—and now, road races. Every year is a new learning experience.

I still remember my first attempt at running 100 miles. It came right after one of the most brutal Spartan races I’ve ever done. The Beast—13 miles up and down a mountain, running, hiking, and pushing through 30 obstacles just to make it back down. Some people called me crazy for doing both back-to-back. But for me, it was about seeing how far I could go. I was chasing the challenge—trying to build a stronger version of myself than the year before.

That weekend after Spartan, I met my first Ultra. I didn’t underestimate it, but I definitely didn’t expect it to hit like that. I made it to 80 miles, but that race tore me to pieces. It took me a little over three weeks to fully recover. Still, I said to myself: I’ll be back next year.

And I was. I came back feeling stronger. But that time, Mother Nature had her own plan—she tried to drown us with nonstop rain. I’m not even sure how long it rained; it felt like hours. I ended up hitting 84 miles. It wasn’t the finish I wanted, but it was still an improvement in two big ways: I ran the full 24 hours with no sleep, and my body held up. No muscle pain—just the pain of not reaching 100.

This third attempt? I’m coming with a different mindset. I’m not stopping. I’m not falling short. I welcome the pain cave. With the support of my amazing family and friends and this ultra community, this is the year I’m hitting 100.

Why Water?

The most important reason I run this race is to continue raising money to help bring clean water to those who don’t have the resources to access it. Last year, through the support of so many, we were able to complete two solar-powered water distribution projects, repair 39 broken systems, and bring clean water to over 25,000 community members and 6,000 students. That’s something to be proud of.

But the reality is—many people still have to walk miles just to get water for themselves and their children. And sometimes, that walk ends with nothing. So I use the body I was blessed with to carry the load, to run these races, and to help fund clean water projects for those who need them most. Let me carry the weight so that others don’t have to.

Some people can’t move freely or safely just to get something as basic as water. That’s why I run—to use my gift to help pave a better future for them. If you’re able to help me along this journey, your support would mean the world. And if you can’t, I still thank you deeply for taking the time to read this and for standing with me in spirit.