Lonavala : Mumbai Trailwalker that started from Garudmachi near Pune on November 15 on a trail passing through the lush green Sahyadri ranges culminated in Lonavala today. Every Mile Counts, an all men team of four from Mumbai finished this 100 km walk in 16 hours 25 minutes and 40 seconds and reached Lonavala in the midnight amidst cheering by support crew and management and staff of Oxfam India.

The winning team comprises of Vikas Singh, Sultan Singh, Manoj Varma, who are Goldman Sachs employees and Daniel Plane who is a walker and it was his 25th Trailwalker participation.

The second team, Life of Pi completed the 100 km walk in 28 hour, 30 minute and 46 seconds whereas third fastest team Bombay Bulls finished this challenge in 29 hour, 8 minute and 11 seconds.

The target of 100 kms in 48 hours sounds very difficult, and the team echoed the same. Vikas Singh of Every Mile Counts said, “We did not expect it to be this tough but we trained really hard for this and were the first ones to sign up for this event. We just knew we had to complete this trail in record time. We did it!”

Speaking on the occasion, Nisha Agrawal, CEO, Oxfam India said, “We are so excited to be holding our first Mumbai Pune Trailwalker. A total of 71 teams have participated and we hope next year to double the number and in future host around 500 teams. The feedback from completing teams so far is that the trail is fantastic and the arrangements are good”.

“Oxfam India works to close the gap between the rich and poor and to ensure that every individual has a life of dignity. The funds raised from Trailwalker will go to support our work to reduce violence against women as well as to improve the lives and livelihood o tribal people”, added Nisha.

Oxfam India Trailwalker is a fundraising event that invites teams of four to get together and undertake the challenge to walk or run 100 kms within 48 hours. In this vent, each team needs to sign up with a registration fee of Rs. 4000/- per participant. The teams dedicate themselves to fundraise for Oxfam India and undertake a target of raising Rs. 50,000 from friends, associates and family. The 100 km trail has a start point, nine check points and a finish point.

The 100 km trail has a start point, nine check points and a finish point. During the event, each team usually has a support crew to cheer them up and support them with their requirements of food, water, medical facilities and any other support.

Source : Lokesh Shastri