The Adventurists' Rickshaw Run is in its 3rd year now, unlike the majority of their charity races, the rickshaw run takes place 3 times a year and the waiting list is usually pretty lengthy. The Winter 2012 entrants will be named soon on January 1st 2011, so that pretty much speaks volumes for the popularity of the event.
Entrance Fee (in 2010):
£1095 per team - this includes all required documents for the rickshaw except the Indian visa which costs about £50.
There is also a £1000 deposit for the rickshaw which is paid back unless you completely write it off or lose it.
Each entrant is encouraged to raise upwards of £1000 which is donated to one or two selected charities mentioned on the sign up page.
Charities:
Depending on the time of year the Rickshaw Run takes place, different charities have benefited from it.
Maiti Nepal (www.maitinepal.org) - An organisation that helps protect against and rehabilitate women and girls who have suffered child labour, sex trafficking, child prostitution, prostitution, domestic violence and women and children with HIV and Hepatitis.
Frank Water (www.frankwater.com) - A British charity that focuses on bringing clean water to people, FrankWater claim that from the donations raised from a single Rickshaw Run event, they were able to bring clean water to 40,000 people.
International Rescue Corps (www.intrescue.org) - A UK based charity that specialise in search and rescue, qualified volunteers assist at the scenes of earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Social Change and Development (www.scad.org.in) - An Indian charity that helps educate and train people practically in rural regions.
The Race:
http://rickshawrun.theadventurists.com/index.php
Depending on the time of year, they seem to run different start and finish points, these being:
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to Cochin in Kerala
Cochin in Kerala to Shillong in Meghalaya
Shillong in Meghalaya to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
There's no set routes and no assistance, it's an adventure and if the wild animals in the jungles won't get you, then the Indian drivers might just!
Here's an enjoyable blog we found detailing the journey:
http://asthecrowfliesindia.blogspot.com/
One participant went as far as creating his own film about the adventure:
