Tarahumara, an indigenous group of people who lives in the canyons of Mexico, is known for long-distance running. These people can outrun even a trained athlete.
If this fact surprises you, then take heart from our own Tarahumaras in South West Khasi Hills. The terrain they live in is rugged and hilly. Their lives revolve around foraging for food like they have been doing for generations. What is common between these villagers of Mawkyrwat and the Tarahumaras is the strength of heart.
Run Meghalaya, which was started in 2013 by Gerald Pde and Habari Warjri, is a tribute to these people. The husband-wife duo says the event aims to give local runners an opportunity to showcase their talent. Both Pde, an architect and environmental designer, and Warjri are marathoners.
There were three editions of the Sohra-Cherrapunjee Marathon from 2014 to 2016 and within this period of time, the running community in Shillong and other towns in Meghalaya grew noticeably.
Biningstar Lyngkhoi is the most successful runner from Mawkyrwat. He was discovered by the Army that gave him an opportunity to make running a career.
Lyngkhoi has represented India in many international events and won many more nationally.
There is also a humble farmer from Shngimawlein. His name is Tlanding Wahlang. He is 40 and a father of four. He practices with no formal training and eats the normal village diet of organic red rice, potatoes and wild herbs. In the 2016 Sohra Cherrapunjee Marathon, he came third, a few minutes behind the two army men who have the best trainers and facilities, including diets designed for athletes.
This time, Run Meghalaya will host a different kind of event. The Mawkyrwat Ultra set at Shngimawlein had its inaugural edition in 2017.
Shngimawlein is another half an hour bumpy ride over pot-holed village roads from the Mawkyrwat town. This event is partially supported by the Tourism Department.
An Ultra or Ultra-Marathon is a running event where the distances are longer than the official marathon distance of 42.195km. Typically an Ultra Marathon will start from 50km and above to qualify as an Ultra.
The Mawkyrwat Ultra has three event categories — 72km ultra run, 45km ultra run and a 30km Mawkyrwat Endurance Run. The 72km loop takes you through 32 villages. Some are Mawranglang, Mawlangwir, Mawthong, Mawthawpdah and Pariong. The start and finish lines are at Shngimawlein. The entire route is scenic passing through villages, paddy fields, the Rilang Valley, dense forest and about 70 per cent of the route is on trails. Villagers provide food and accommodation to runners. This way, the organisers ensure that everyone is involved in the event.
The event is now certified by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), the body governing international trail races with the 72km to be an ITRA Level 2 race and 45km an ITRA Level 1 race. This event is now also an Ultra Trail Mont-Blanc (UTBM) qualifying race. This means that any runner who wishes to gain UTMB points to qualify for the prestigious UTMB races can use Mawkyrwat Ultra as a platform to achieve those points.
Medals are given to each participant who completes the run. These medals are usually made in a factory in China and have the event logo and other information.
This year’s edition of the Mawkyrwat Ultra to be held on October 26 and 27 aims to promote one of Meghalaya’s dying arts, the traditional Khasi lock.
The Mawkyrwat Ultra is looking to award finishers unique handmade medals specially crafted for this event, the traditional lock or locally known as Tala Mylliem. Each lock is crafted from recycled metal sheets, umbrella struts, iron rods, which are folded and shaped into their respective sizes. What is unique about this dying craft is that it originated here in Meghalaya and the remaining locksmiths who will be making the finisher medals hail from Laitlyngkot, a village on the Shillong-Pynursla highway. “Run Meghalaya wants the Mawkyrwat Ultra to be as sustainable and local as possible so that the host villages and the adjacent areas benefit economically and get exposure,” say the organisers.
~ Willie Gordon Suting