Organised by UK company The League of Adventurists since 2006, the Rickshaw Run is the largest three-wheeler event on the planet. Participants from around the world have gathered in Shillong, Meghalaya to embark on a 5000 Km journey in auto-rickshaws, that’ll terminate all the way in Kochi, Kerela. The teams have no set route, no back up along the way, and are absolutely on their own.
83 teams, with participants representing 23 countries, have prepped and pimped their rickshaws in anticipation of the grand launch today (Wednesday 5th August). Each team raises £1000 for charity – with at least half of this going towards the official rainforest preservation charity – Cool Earth.
The League of Adventurists International, based in Bristol, are at the helm of many similar events around the world: “This event certainly has a lighter side, but the important message is clear…We plan to introduce our participants to the real India – this is not a typical package holiday. When the teams are lost, stuck and all hope seems futile, Mother India and the heart-warming generosity of the Indian people shall envelope them in a fondness that many would not have encountered before. We also like to bring attention to the beauty of lesser travelled places such as Shillong and Kochi. Needless to say we’re thrilled to be raising an awfully large amount of money for worthy charities across the nation too. The Rickshaw Run has now raised well over £2,000,000 (around $3.1 million) – which is a huge boost to the good work that these charities and our official charity Cool Earth are doing. In fact, each Rickshaw Run raises enough money for Cool Earth to save 150,000 trees in some of the most endangered rainforest in the world.”
The Rickshaw Run has now been coming to Shillong for five years. Mr Dickens, Event Manager, goes on to say: “Meghalaya is a real gem in the North East. I hope many of our participants are able to travel to some of the more remote areas of the state, as the scenery is simply out of this world.”
Poem to the Soul’s Journey on a three-leggéd mule
There in the dark and fearful night
Forged by colour’s flight
Where limbs become the sweat of rivers gain
Swollen through the bloods bank tunnel.
Where veins crouch low seeking shelter
Weeping to maintain the afterglow of chill.
Who would have thought this landscape industrial,
Dun-coloured, yellow-tanned and orange breasted
Would bleed into your very souls?
As you ride the beast against its tide
Triad dragon, burning horse, tireless three-leggéd stallion
Onward! On beneath the upturned azure sky-sea
Medallion of everything!
Oh you poorly stricken things
Filling with tears night glade.
Overland! Heartland!
Heartland! Overland!
‘Till dawn does lift you up
To places you once again
On the lips door of this most beautiful land.
India kisses you and holds you to her breast
As you cross the finish line.
