``We hope to have 80 teams signed in by the end of this month - which is the total number of teams which participated last year. By 2012 January, we hope to recruit 150 teams for this year's trailwalker,'' says Gopal Kumar Jain, Manager (events), Oxfam India.
A global challenge event, trailwalker was held for the first time in India last year. More than 80 teams walked 100 km in teams of four raising a total of Rs. 1.2 crores which is being used to strengthen the programs of Oxfam India across the country. In Bengaluru, the funds are being used to strengthen the work of SPAD, a partner NGO working in the area of health.
``We also took the trailwalker teams that came in first last year including the fastest all women's team for a project visit on October 30 so that they can see for themselves how the funds are being utilised,'' says Mr. Jain. Oxfam India works with 170 NGOs across the country on various development proijects and themes and is rated as the world's third largest NGO.
The over whelming response to the second edition of trailwalker is because of the exciting nature of the event. Thompson Reuters has registered 20 teams and has already started trailwalker clubs in their premises. Among others who have already registered teams are Goldman Sachs, Accenture and of course Confident Flying feet, the team comprising all mechanics, who came first last year. ``we hope to set a world record this year which I am told is 16 hours,'' said Vignesh, team leader of Confident Flying Feet.
There are several reasons why the event is becoming popular. For one people are wanting to make a difference to the poverty situation in India by not just contributing money but also by intiiating some positive action. `` It’s tough, uncomfortable, and one of the most difficult challenges you can put yourself through… But it’s also fun and exhilarating, it strengthens the soul, and helps you to realize you can do things you never thought possible… and above all, it’s for a great cause – when you cross that 100K line arm in arm, you truly are on top of the world,'' says Linsay Simpson of Thompson Reuters.
Niisha Agrawal, who is the CEO of Oxfam India is walking 100 km tihs year. ``I was there at last year's Trailwalker and saw the tremendous feeling of accomplishment that participants felt. I want to feel for myself what it means to overcome such a huge challenge of walking 100 km in 48 hours! I am not an athletic or outdoorsy person. Therefore, its a big challenge and very exciting for me!'' she says
With so much of enthuasism right at the start, Oxfam India organised the training weekend on November 3 and 4 2012 to familiarise the participants with the actual trail. There was presence of over 60 participants.
Experience of Linsay Simpson, Thomas Reuters
To the sound of loud cheers and hi-fives all around, 5 brave teams from Thomson Reuters set off, full of enthusiasm, hope, excitement and trepidation. Having personally completed 2 Trailwalkers in Japan, which is hailed as “The World’s Greatest Challenge”, my team mates and I had high expectations of what was to come over the next 48 hours. We were not disappointed!
The next 34 hours and 30 minutes, saw us riding a roller coaster of mental, physical and emotional highs and lows. The grueling uphill trek, throughout the merciless midday sun, gave way to villages swarming with bright-eyed, smiling faces, filled with curiosity and wonder at the strangers striding purposefully through their midst.
Children, squealing with laughter, ran alongside, whilst their parents offered encouragement along the way, genuinely curious as to why we would want to do this!
Team dynamics are fascinating…Initial excited chatter about work, getting to know each other, the scenery, marveling at the SPEED with which the kilometers seem to pass (!), eventually subsides into long periods of silence, as people contemplate their blisters, their aches, and the increasing SLOWNESS with which the kilometers seem to pass! As the checkpoints go by, friendships are forged, and stories are shared of teams whose promises to stick together gave way to arguments and discord, with members dropping out along the wayside. Stories of teams who stuck together no matter what, gave hope and encouragement…after all… that’s what it’s all about … knowing when to push each other, and knowing each other’s limits, in order to achieve the goal as a team.
As for my own team, (Thomson Reuters BELT) we shared sore knees, some blisters to be proud of, and some rather stiff muscles. However, the camaraderie we shared, and the phenomenal support from our support crew, kept us going, together with a good dose of humour, laughter at our predicament, and a sheer sense of determination. Teams who stick together and truly work as teams, make it through, and many find themselves changed people at the end of it.
So, Trailwalker is not for the faint-hearted, it’s certainly not a walk in the park, and it’s not meant to be easy.. but then nothing worthwhile is. It’s tough, uncomfortable, and one of the most difficult challenges you can put yourself through… But it’s also fun and exhilarating, it strengthens the soul, and helps you to realize you can do things you never thought possible… and above all, it’s for a great cause – when you cross that 100K line arm in arm, you truly are on top of the world!
So, what now? For me, Trailwalker 2013 is calling. The Pink Ladies and I hope to see you there.
