The 6th edition of the Rickshaw Run launched on Sunday and the teams are already sending in updates to the website as they wobble across India towards Goa.
With a huge amount of support from the Tourism Department of the Meghalaya Government, the launch took place outside the central library in Shillong and the teams were flagged off by His Excellency Mr Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, the Governor of Meghalaya.
"This is the highest number of foreign tourists I have ever seen in one place in Shillong," said the Governor, just one of many entertaining parts of his humourous welcoming speech to the teams.
"It is fantastic to show that Shillong and Meghalaya are destinations for tourists in this way and encourage more people to visit" continued the Governor, before explaining that by taking part in the Rickshaw Run, their mode of travel would result in direct contact with the incredible cultural and environmental diversity of India. His Excellency wished the teams well for their journey before officially flagging off the teams as they began the long journey to Goa.
Pith helmets, driving goggles, flight suits and top notch custom paintjobs were the order of the day as teams from 10 countries gathered for the Spring 2009 Run.
Most of the teams were in fine fettle, but there were a handful suffering the consequences of a cracking pre-launch party, hosted by the Pinewood Hotel. Fantastic performances from the Hynniew Trep Cultural Association entertained the teams over dinner. The performers had travelled in from all over Meghalaya and by the end of the evening there were some serious dance moves displayed when they combined the traditional style with contemporary instruments and songs.
Jamie from team The Phew said in his latest blog:
“The day started in Shillong with a police escort...but before that , there was the launch party last night at the Pinewood hotel in Shillong. That was great and we met loads of people from all over the world...equally as daft and excited as we are! All backgrounds and all ages...retired...students..middle aged and even some Scots!
“We've had a brilliant first day on 'The Run' today!! Its been mental, amazing, concerning, exciting and damn good fun!!!We had a puncture,and had to change the wheel twice as we got it the wrong way first time, a blocked fuel line and we were stopped by the Army (for a chat and to check out our flight suits!) all within the first 30km”
Claire from team 2 Blondes and a Tuk Tuk was chuffed to open the newspaper on day 2 and see a feature on the Run:
“Just had breakfast and the Guwahati Telegraph was delivered - front page news: 'Charty on auto wheels rolls from Shillong to Goa' with a picture of the State Governor waving off a procession of colourful rickshaws! Feeling very priviliged to be part of something so spectacular and worthwhile and that means so much to the people of Shillong.”
To check out the latest updates from the teams, click here.
To see photos of the launch, the party, the cricket match and more click here.