HiveComb

I have so many pending trips to write about, and on top of that, I'm lazy and travel so much. When there's a long gap in my travels, I feel like making a plan and going to become a "free soul." When I get tired of traveling, I think that some rest is necessary for my body and mind. So, philosophy aside, let me take you from Jaisalmer to Longewala. This place is located in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, and its fame is due to the Indo-Pak International Border. It was here that India defeated Pakistan in 1971 and in memory of this victory, a running event called "The Border" is held every year since 2018. I've come to volunteer in this event. So friends, let's go on this memorable journey.

The event was held on December 7th, for which we left six days ago. While traveling from India's capital, we encountered a traffic jam. To avoid the traffic jam, we took the car onto a dirt road, resulting in a flat tire. It took about 35 minutes to remove the spare tire and set it. Today, we have to travel 800 km to reach Jaisalmer, known as the Golden City. We stop at Churu on the way for lunch.

We arrive in Jaisalmer at 10 pm. After checking into our room, we head to our favorite place in Jaisalmer. We went to Prabhu Tea Stall at Hanuman Chowk and drank hot milk. While enjoying the milk, we also visited the famous Jaisalmer Fort, built by King Jaisal in 1156 AD. The fort, shrouded in glowing yellow light, looked magnificent at night. From there, we went to our room and ended our day in bed.

The next morning, we took a trip to Gadisar Lake, where there are numerous umbrellas, paddle boats, and many tourists. It's a serene setting, and we get busy with our event work after admiring the rising sun. After finishing all our work during the day, we head to the movie hall in the evening and watch a Hindi movie. This was our second day, which was amazing.

The next day, we check into the Rangmahal Hotel, where the Maximum Runners are staying. Staying at the Kila Ruki Hotel was also wonderful. Last year, we used to stay at the Heritage Inn Hotel, but this time, due to space constraints, we changed the hotel. We head to Jaisalmer's Indira Indoor Stadium, where the event's bib distribution will take place. Upon reaching there, we get busy with our work. From today onwards, over the next two days, 1200 bibs in three categories will be distributed here.

After the bib distribution, we return to the hotel and enjoy watching the full moon shine in the sky. The day before the race, a route briefing begins, with approximately 1,500 people present, all listening attentively. The event begins at 12 noon on December 7th. 1,200 runners are on the road. Running in the scorching heat, approximately 400 runners will reach Longewala to complete their 160-km race.

My job is to support the runners and photograph them. I'm also in a patrol car, monitoring the runners to ensure everyone is doing well and to provide assistance if anyone faces any problems. The race is underway, evening arrives, and then a very cold night arrives, forcing runners to take their clothes out of their drop bags. This pleasant cold can be gauged by the fact that the runners have worn three layers on top and two layers on the bottom.

The next morning, at 4:50, a runner arrives and becomes the first runner to finish the 161-kilometer category. Runners then arrive one by one, and the event continues until 4 p.m. Before nightfall, we return to the hotel, where we shower, change into clean clothes, and treat ourselves to a large meal at a restaurant.

Hindi Original Text
कितनी सारी ट्रिप्स पेंडिंग पड़ी हैं लिखने के लिए, ऊपर से मैं लेजी और इतना ज्यादा ट्रेवल. जब ट्रेवल में लम्बा गैप हो जाता है तब लगता है चलो प्लान बनाओ और चलते हैं ‘फ्री सोल’ बनने और जब घूम-घूमकर थक जाता हूँ तब सोचता हूँ कि थोडा रेस्ट ज़रूरी है बॉडी के लिए और मेरे दिमाग के लिए. खैर फिलोसोफी को साइड में रखकर चलो मैं आपको ले चलता हूँ जैसलमेर से लोंगेवाला तक, यह जगह भारत के नार्थ में स्थित राजस्थान राज्य में स्थित है और फेमस होने का कारण है इंडो-पाक इंटरनेशनल बॉर्डर. यहीं भारत ने १९७१ में पाकिस्तान को हराकर विजय प्राप्त करी थी और इसी विजय की याद में २०१८ से हर साल यहाँ एक रनिंग इवेंट आयोजित होता है जिसका नाम है “the border”, इसी इवेंट में मैं volunteering करने आया हूँ. तो दोस्तों चलते हैं इस यादगार सफ़र पर.

अगली सुबह ०४:५० पर एक रनर्स पहुंचकर १६१ किमी लम्बी केटेगरी को फिनिश करके पहला रनर बनता है रेस का. जिसके बाद एक-एक करके रनर्स आते रहे और इवेंट शाम ४ बजे तक चला. रात होने से पहले हम होटल पहुँच जाते हैं जहाँ नहाकर साफ़ कपडे पहनते हैं और रेस्तौरेंट जाकर बहुत सारा खाना खाकर अपने आपको ट्रीट देते हैं.

Disclaimer: This post is originally written in Hindi and I have used Google Translator to translate the Hindi text in English. All the photos have been clicked by me from One Plus 13R and edited in lightroom, and post thumbnail created in adobe photoshop.

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A Road Trip from Jaisalmer to Longewala and My Experience Volunteering at a Running Event

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