Kochi's Backwaters to Host South India's Biggest Adventure Carnival

30 Mar 2016
FWD Admin
Features

Obstacle Course and Off-road racing among adrenaline packed events at the Chakravyuh Challenge.

Gear up to drive faster, run longer, jump higher, crawl deeper, climb skyward and leave smiling wider as you overpower your fears and outsmart your way through South India’s biggest adventure carnival. The first of its kind event in Kerala, the Chakravyuh Challenge is an adventure carnival with an obstacle course race and 4x4 off-road racing competition at its core. Named after the near-invincible battle formation in Indian mythology, the Chrakravyuh aims to test the competitors' agility, bravery and problem solving capability by pitting them against specially designed obstacles comprised of slush, water, ropes, inclined slopes, team building exercises, fun mazes and more. Providing a fresh break from the boring old fitness routines, the event promises to help participants rediscover the free, uninhibited and excitable spirit of their childhood.

The maiden edition of the Chakravyuh Challenge would be held on the 30th of April and 1st of May 2016, along Kerala’s pristine backwaters near Vyttila in Kochi. The race is open to both men and women. Since registrations began early in February this year, over 700 participants have signed up for the event. Apart from local participants, corporates from Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad form a key part of this demographic.

“My first obstacle course race experience was in Bangalore in 2014, since then, I have been hooked onto the sport.”, says actor and adventure enthusiast Abith Nassar. “Your first race will be daunting and challenging, but once you get through that, it is a life-changing experience. The fun of testing your endurance along with friends and others who share that passion as well as the pride of accomplishment you're surrounded by when you finish, is a memory you would want to revisit over and over again.”

The obstacle course / mud run would be held in three variations, namely the Individual Competitive Category, the Team Challenge Category and the Fun Run. The Individual Competitive Category is an endurance test for fitness freaks with a grand prize for the athlete who completes the challenge in the fastest time. The Team Challenge Category on the other hand, is for teams comprised of five members each, representing clubs or organizations. The teams undertake challenges that require the collaboration of their physical and mental abilities with a grand prize awarded to the team that finishes first. While the third, 'Fun Run' category, is intended for those looking for a good time and competition rules do not apply for the same.

The event is expected to gather over 2000 participants across all categories. The age restriction for the competitive race categories is 18 years while the fun run is open to those 13 and above. “If you're looking to push yourself to the limits, find what you are capable of and unleash the determined soldier within, then the Chakravyuh Challenge is for you.”, promises Retd. Lt. Commander Mithun Aravind, the Taskmaster for the event, who has modelled several of the challenges on actual obstacle courses undertaken by special-forces commandos.

The venue will also bear witness to the Chakravyuh 4*4 Challenge. Conducted in collaboration with the Kerala Adventure Sports Club, the niche motorsports event will see expert off-road racing teams from across the country, race against each other on specially designed tracks laid with sand, gravel, mud and other hurdles, as they showcase their driving prowess in modified off-road machines. An amateurs' off-road track has also been prepared for first-timers who wish to put their cars to the test. Other additional games and adventure activities such as jet-skiing, kayak, slush volleyball, paintball, cross fit sessions and self-defence classes for women have also been organized at the event, keeping participants engaged for the whole day.

“People in Kerala have a penchant for adventure. However the lack of sufficient opportunities in our state pushes them to follow this passion elsewhere. We aim to change this scenario by conducting niche events that provide an avenue for thrills and excitement right here in Kerala.”, commented Niranjan Kumar, one of the founders of the Chakravyuh Challenge. “The Chakravyuh Challenge would be the realization of our dream to encourage a culture of fitness, while also providing an opportunity to promote tourism and develop local communities by shining a light on their culture, heritage and way of life”, he adds. The venue of the 2016 event is home to fishermen, coir workers, farmers and related small scale industries such as food processing and coir extraction. Creating awareness regarding the daily life in these communities, through voluntary arts and crafts workshops at the venue, is a key objective of the event.