What’s Really in That Water Bottle? RDU Releases Industry’s First Hydration Safety Manual

January 27, 2026

New Resource Addresses 240,000 Microplastics Per Liter and PFAS

DEKALB, Ill. (January 27, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – A $3 billion verdict against a bottled water company for poisoning consumers. Class action lawsuits against Aquafina, VOSS, and JUST Water for toxic “forever chemicals.” Research showing 240,000 microplastic particles per liter in bottled water. For race directors handing water bottles to thousands of runners, the question is no longer if the water is cold—it’s whether it’s safe.

Race Director University (RDU) has released the Hydration Safety Manual, the only resource in the endurance industry addressing water safety protocols for race directors. The manual is available for immediate download at $29 from RDU’s resource library.

“Most race directors accept donated water without question,” said Gregory J. Evans, Founder & CEO of Race Director University. “They don’t know that PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ were found in 43 of 47 bottled water brands tested. They don’t know about the microplastics. They don’t know if that donated water has been sitting in a warehouse for who knows how long. After a $3 billion verdict, ignorance is no longer an excuse.”

Evans, who holds a Master’s degree in Community Health Education and brings more than 30 years of experience in endurance event management, developed the manual in response to the unregulated nature of the race director profession.

“There is no licensing requirement to become a race director in the United States,” Evans said. “Anyone can put on a race tomorrow. That lack of regulation makes professional certification essential—not optional. The safety of every runner at your aid station depends on what you know and what you do with that knowledge.”

The Hydration Safety Manual includes vendor vetting protocols, storage and temperature requirements, chain-of-custody documentation, and emergency response procedures. The curriculum is also integrated into all 11 RDU certification programs.

Race directors can use discount code RDU2026 for $50 off any certification program through February 15, 2026. The Hydration Safety Manual and certification enrollment are available at racedirectoruniversity.com.

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ABOUT RACE DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY

Race Director University is the first national certification program for race directors in the United States, established in 2012 by Gregory J. Evans, a 30-year veteran of endurance event management and former Chairman of Long Distance Running for USATF Illinois Association (1989-2022). RDU provides online professional education, certification, and professional resources across 11 specialized programs for endurance event professionals. Learn more at racedirectoruniversity.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gregory J. Evans
Founder & CEO, Race Director University
greg@racedirectoruniversity.com
(630) 327-1619