The second edition of Oxfam India Trailwalker 2013 will be conducted from January 25 to 27 from the picturesque Pearl Valley, Anekal to Eagleton, Bidadi off Bangalore. The route for 2013 event has been changed to make the trail easier and attractive.
This trailwalker event is the world’s greatest team challenge to support people in the throes of poverty and injustice.
With teams of four each, they are required to walk (or run) 100 kilometres in 48 hours. It is a test of physical endurance requiring both mental strength and team spirit.
Nearly 80 per cent of the teams (142) come from Bengaluru. The other cities from which teams come include Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad. There are five all women-teams participating.
With all facilities provided for the participants, there will be a fleet of specialised doctors at each check-point and will be supervising a battery of physiotherapists drawn from various colleges.
In addition, there will be three ICU-based ambulances stationed all along the route. Last year, the first Trailwalker from February 10 to 12, 2012 was held on a route from Sangam, Mekedatu to Eagleton Golf Club, off Bangalore.
Eighty teams including 45 from Bangalore, 12 from Mumbai and 18 from other Indian cities and five international teams participated in the walk.
Out of this, 78 teams completed the walk and raised Rs 1.2 crore.
Oxfam Trailwalker is a global phenomenon which started as a training exercise for the Gurkha Regiment in Hong Kong in 1981. Today, it has gone global with 15 events in 12 countries.
Over the last 15 years, more than 32,000 teams have participated and raised over US$ 120 million for Oxfam’s work globally.
Such huge resources have helped create a world of difference in the lives of the most marginalized communities. The registration fee for each team is Rs12,000 and each team needs to raise a minimum fund of `40,000 to participate in the event.
Details about Oxfam India Trailwalker are available on http:// www.trailwalker.in