Call it an “intentionally-ridiculous race’” or an “inside joke turned travel phenomenon,” but, a 4000 mile Auto Rickshaw race on Indian roads is definitely as challenging as breaking the sound barrier.Seventy-one teams from around the globe have embarked on a journey from the coast of South India (Cochin, Kerela) to the hills here in Shillong today all hopping inside their 150cc powered mean machines - Auto Rickshaws. The event is dubbed as Rickshaw Run.
Breaking the sound barrier would definitely be a bonus for the seventy teams from twenty countries, apart from raising Rs 60 lakh for charity. The fund from the charity would go to International Rescue Corps and Social Change and Development, India.
International Rescue Corps mobilises teams anywhere in the world in response to natural and man-made disasters.
Scad runs a large variety of projects and programmes for the poor in India in the areas of Education, Health and Community organisation and development.
The team intends to ‘tuk-tuk’ its way to the finishing line at Hotel Pinewood sometimes on April 30. In the process, would endure 4000 kms of notorious Indian traffic, unrelenting heat and muck and of course a fatigued self-discovery.
The annual event, organised by UK based group, “The Adventurists,” has generated immense interest amongst amateur adventurers around the world, who wish to seek Nirvana not through “easy and boring” journeys of life.
The organisers believe that adventurers need to be “flush their guide books down the toilets” and join the battle against an “increasingly boring and sanitised world.”
The “mighty three-wheeled race” would have live updates from the teams, including a position tracking system, SMS from the road, photos, videos and blogs on its website http://www.rickshawrun.theadventurists.com, during the back-breaking journey.
The Rickshaw Run has no prize waiting at the end of the finishing line, but lots of back-slapping, champagne and yes: take home tales to bore grandchildren.
“(This)intentionally ridiculous and hugely popular adventure is designed to raise money for charities in India and guarantee the very tallest of tales to bore your grandchildren with.
"The finish line doesn’t have a clock to mark the teams’ arrival, it has cucumber sandwiches, much back-slapping and a huge party,” Tom Morgan, Adventurists and Rickshaw Race founder said.
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