With “team up against poverty’’ as its tagline, the event involves teams of four running 100 km in 48 hours and raising funds for various development interventions of Oxfam India. A popular event globally, there are certified trails in various parts of the world on which the 100 km walk takes place. In Hong Kong, for example, the Trail has been developed by the Army and perfected by the Trailwalker team.
A recee visit involving 10 km of the trail from the start point at Sangam (Mekadatu) was organized here today for the participants interested in taking part in the Oxfam Trailwalker. A total of 30 people took part and walked 10 km to get an idea of the trail.
The recee was flagged off by the Additional Deputy Commissoner of Ram Nagar district, Archana M. S. She promised all support to the Oxfam Trailwalker on behalf of the district administration and said that the newly carved district of Ram Nagar needs events like these to make it a popular destination. She also walked some distance along with the participants.
Oxfam Trailwalker has prescribed strict standards which are followed globally to organize such a mega event. This involves safety parameters, health tips, food and appropriate logistics arrangements. In order to ensure this in Oxfam Trailwalker India, two experienced members from Hongkong visited India in September last month, to conduct an audit of the 100km route, which passes through scenic villages and part of the Bannerghatta National Park.
The audit team comprising Brenda Wong and Karl Lung from Hong Kong along with a three member team from Oxfam India and two members from Pegasus, (an outward bound management training Institute) walked the 100km trail between Mysore to Bengaluru to ensure that the Oxfam Trailwalker continues to be a happy and safe experience for participants in India also.
The team from Hongkong find Oxfam trail route India comparable to many other trail routes in other countries and hoped that the ‘first ever’ Oxfam Trailwalker in India will go down pleasantly in the minds of walkers. “Walking 48 hours might seem like mission impossible but it all depends on the preparation. It is not mandatory to be a sports person or a regular walker or a fitness freak to be part of Oxfam Trailwalker. It is about challenging yourself and achieving it,’’ said Brenda after walking the trail.
Already, Oxfam Trailwalker has generated a lot of interest among the corporate and celebrities. Actor Rahul Bose and corporate lawyer Somashekhar Sunderesan, were among the first to register for the Oxfam Trailwalker in India. “We have entered into a partnership with the Bangalore Mountaineering club to create awareness about the Oxfam Trailwalker. Regular stalls are being held over every weekend at Decathlon, another popular sports venue in Bengaluru,’’ informs Gopal Jain, Manger for Oxfam Trailwalker India.
About Trailwalker
Trailwalker or Oxfam Trailwalker and the related Trailtrekker are endurance walking events run across the world by Oxfam, in which teams of 4 competitors must complete a course of 100 kilometres (62 mi) in a set time limit - typically between 24 and 48 hours. The routes may be point-to-point or follow a circular route returning to the start.
The event began in 1981 in Hong Kong as a training exercise by the Queen's Gurkha Signals, part of the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army, which was at the time based in the British colony. After five years, in 1986, teams of civilians were allowed to take part and Oxfam Hong Kong was brought in as a charity partner. In 1997, with the handover of Hong Kong to China, the Gurkha regiments were relocated to the United Kingdom, and brought Trailwalker with them, organising it over the South Downs in Sussex, with Oxfam in the UK acting as partner since 2002, alongside the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Oxfam Hong Kong continued to organise the original event without the Gurkhas and the event has grown with 15 events now taking place in 12 countries worldwide.[2]Since 1986, more than 65,000 participants in the Hong Kong event alone have raised over HK$323 million to support Oxfam's various poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects.
About Oxfam India
Oxfam is celebrating its 60th year in India this year. Oxfam International is a confederation of independent non- government organizations working in over 100 countries worldwide and has programme offices throughout India. It is fitting that in this historic year for the Oxfam family, Oxfam India has just been inducted as a fully independent, Indian organization (with Indian staff and an Indian Board) into the Oxfam International Confederation.
Oxfam India is the newest and 15th member of this Confederation. Oxfam India strives to secure the right to a life with dignity for all by actively engaging people and policy makers in the inclusive development of society. We are working to ensure that people are able to overcome poverty by earning a decent livelihood; women lead a life of dignity, free from violence and communities are prepared to deal with the impact of climate change and natural disasters.
Oxfam India's vision is to create a more equal, just, and sustainable world. The overarching vision of Oxfam India is “right to life with dignity for all‘‘. Oxfam India will fulfill its vision by empowering the poor and marginalized to demand their rights, engaging the non poor to become active and supportive citizens, advocating for an effective and accountable state and making markets work for poor and marginalized people.
