Thousands took part in the 19th annual Run For Water event at Mill Lake Park on Sunday (May 24), with Langley’s Ron Loewen and Abbotsford’s Abby Mercier winning the men’s and women’s 10-kilometre road races respectively. Loewen finished the race in 34:33 and managed to improve on his third place finish in the 2025 event. Mercier, fresh off competing at the Boston Marathon in April, completed the course in 40:14. View this post on Instagram “A little slower than I was hoping for, but still
a personal record and proof that a 10K hurts in a completely different way than a marathon,” she said on social medial. “So nice to race locally and see so many familiar faces out on the course.” Mercier’s win is the first time that a local has won the women’s race since Kris Warkentin in 2022. Other division winners in the 10 km race included: • Abbotsford’s John Vissers (senior male) – 54:45 • Langley’s Debbie Nagy (senior female) – 49:29 • Langley’s Tristan Jansenvandoorn
(youth male) – 47:39 • Abbotsford’s Violet Carey (youth female) – 48:41 View this post on Instagram Langley runners swept the men’s and women’s divisions in the five-kilometre run, with Sam Wensick (15:43) and Sarah Inglis (17:47) posting the top times. Other division winners consisted of: • Langley’s Dave Kukucha (senior male) – 23:30 • Penticton’s Harriett Reeh (senior female) – 30:44 • Abbotsford’s Jackson Sametz (youth male) – 19:57 • Abbotsford’s Anna Dudzik (youth female) – 24:18 “The energy and support from the community
is incredible to see,” stated Phil Wiens, the general manager of Run For Water. “What stands out every year is knowing that this run is directly connected to communities where people are still walking for water every day and drinking unsafe water. Seeing our community come together here to change that is deeply meaningful.” Funds raised this year and next year for the event will support clean water access in three villages: Kasese in Uganda, and Tshikapa and Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The event concluded with a dance performance in memory of Letisha Reimer, who was killed 10 years ago at the age of 13 in a random stabbing at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School. The performance was led by her aunt and friends and organizers stated that it offered a moment of reflection and remembrance. Before her passing on Nov. 1, 2016, Letisha had participated in Run For Water for five years, fundraising to help build wells and provide clean water to communities in need. For more
on the event, visit runforwater.ca/2026. View this post on Instagram
Run For Water, Mill Lake Park, Langley, Abbotsford, Ron Loewen, Abby Mercier, 10 km race, clean water access, Kasese, Tshikapa, Kikwit, Letisha Reimer
34:33 is kinda insane for a 10K tbh.
I saw this on FB and thought it was like a water park thing? But apparently it’s for clean water which is cool. Also that Abby Mercier chick ran Boston then did this right after? respect i guess.
Kinda sad about Letisha Reimer, like why do we keep having stabbings around schools. The article says random stabbing 10 years ago so how is it still “connected” to this run? Seems like a weird way to remember someone, but maybe I’m missing it.
Good for the local runners but I don’t fully get the whole Uganda/DRC thing… like how does running around a park actually fund wells there? Maybe it’s just ads for charities and then some gets donated? Not trying to hate, just seems too far removed, but hey if people walked for water every day then I guess this helps. Also Mill Lake Park parking was probably a nightmare.