Imagine embarking on an adventure in a rickshaw and having to plan your own route through mountains, deserts, bad roads, no roads, and traffic chaos to reach your destination! It sounds exciting and thrilling, doesn't it? The Rickshaw Run, organised by The Adventurists, a brand that organises outrageous adventure events for thrill-seeking travellers, promises just that.
The Rickshaw Run, which takes place every year in India and Sri Lanka, has come a long way since its inception in 2006. On one of his trips to India, The Adventurists' founder, Tom Morgan, had the idea to hold such a race. The inaugural run, held in December 2006, was a huge success. Thirty-four teams competed to reach Darjeeling from Kochi. The Rickshaw Run has won the hearts of adrenaline junkies after nearly 35 successful editions and the participation of over 10,000 people.
To participate in the rickshaw run, a team has to raise at least ₹52,000 for a charity of their choice. The Rickshaw Run has raised more than ₹8.27 crore for charity, making the world a better place to live. The entry fee includes a custom-painted rickshaw decorated according to the team's preferences, insurance, key parts and spares, and some rickshaw riding instruction.
The Rickshaw Run takes place in India, the Himalayas, and Sri Lanka.
Introduced in 2017, the Himalayan edition of Rickshaw Run is difficult as you have to traverse through tough terrain in a vehicle that has tiny wheels, terrible suspension, and is in no way made for the Himalayan roads. The participants of this edition have to travel from Shimla to Leh in a fixed period of time to complete the event. The chances of a breakdown and the lack of mechanics on such roads make the journey tougher, thus making it more adventurous.
The Rickshaw Run in the Himalayas in 2023 will see participants travel 2200 kilometres in 12 days in a four-stroke rickshaw from Jaisalmer to Leh. These Bajaj auto rickshaws are powered by a 200cc engine that generates 10.6bhp and 19.2Nm of torque, allowing them to travel at speeds of up to 55kmph. An additional two days will be provided at the start to test the rickshaws. This year's run will take place from July 1 to July 15. An entry fee of ₹2.69 lakhs has to be paid to mark your name on the participation register. The amount can be paid in instalments spread across a span of seven months.
The Indian edition of the Rickshaw Run 2023 will be held from Gangtok to Fort Kochi from September 8 to September 24. The entry fee for the run is 2.27 lakh. The rickshaw can accommodate a total of three people. Unlike the Himalayan edition, a 145 cc two-stroke Bajaj auto rickshaw is provided, which generates 7hp of power and 15.5Nm of torque, clocking a top speed of around 55kmph.
Even though it is not as challenging as the Himalayan version, the Indian edition still has its own adventures. Traversing with a machine that is not purpose-built to munch miles on different terrains and unknown roads is a thrilling experience, especially because the future is unpredictable and the present is all that matters.
The Adventurist Rickshaw Run also has a Sri Lankan edition, where the participants have to cover a total of 650km in 6 days. Recently, the Adventurists have also planned to include a route that would traverse through the seven-sister states of Northeast India, and a proper edition of the same will commence in the upcoming year.