Mechukha, Apr 19: Tourism minister P D Sona on Friday flagged off the third edition of the National Adventure Racing Championship at Mechukha, marking the official start of the much-anticipated Adventure@Mechuka 2025.
The championship has drawn 22 teams from across India and abroad, including participants from South Africa, Nepal, and Malaysia.
The event also witnessed the presence of Heidi Muller, CEO of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), further affirming Mechukha’s growing reputation as a global hub for endurance and adventure sports.
A colourful flag march by the athletes through the streets of the remote Himalayan town marked the ceremonial start of the championship. Dressed in racing attire and waving national and team flags, the athletes passed by traditional monasteries and prayer walls, culminating the procession at the iconic Giant Prayer Wheel—where many paused for a moment of quiet reflection before the race.
Speaking at the event, Sona said the championship showcases Arunachal’s immense adventure tourism potential. “With 22 participating teams, Mechuka once again proves its place on the global adventure map,” he added.
This year’s edition features a historic milestone—the inclusion of India’s first-ever Border Race Championship, highlighting the frontier town’s strategic and scenic location near the Sino-India border.
The main event is a 180-kilometre expedition race spanning 36 hours. Competitors will face physically demanding terrain, involving mountain biking, trekking, orienteering, and river crossing, testing their limits in one of India’s most remote regions.
Participants are competing in various categories, including all-men and all-women teams of two, as well as mixed-gender teams of four—with each team of four required to include at least one member of the opposite gender to promote inclusivity.
Winners of the championship will secure direct entry into the Asia Adventure Racing Championship, a crucial stepping stone in the international adventure racing circuit.
Despite the high stakes, many participants said the true reward was the experience of racing in Mechukha.
“It feels like we’re racing through a postcard,” said a participant from Nepal, as local school children lined the streets to cheer the teams.