Charity ‘Rickshaw Run’ Begins in India

VOA Breaking News (Voice of America)
April 17, 2011 at 10:25 pm

Some 180 adventurers from 19 countries Sunday began the annual Rickshaw Run from India's southern tip to its northeastern edge to raise money for charities.

Not getting seriously hurt will likely be a priority for the participants during the two-week event that will cover nearly 5,000 kilometers. They will have to tackle the country's highways and back roads, as well as mountains and valleys, in vehicles the organizers have described as “glorified lawnmovers.”

The teams took off from the town of Cochin, in India's southernmost state of Kerala, in the flimsy three-wheeled motorized autorickshaws, which are designed for short urban rides. Their journey of a lifetime will end April 30 in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya state.

Organizers say the event is not a race and there is no prize for arriving first. However, each team must raise at least $1,600 for charities working in India. This year, the main beneficiaries are Social Change and Development and International Rescue Corps.