In Madagascar’s bustling city of Antsirabe, rickshaw drivers are quietly transforming exhausting daily labor into world-class endurance training. Among them is Haja Nirina, who pedals nearly 60 kilometers a day and runs long distances morning and evening, all while earning a modest living in a fiercely competitive transport market. Supported by the Crown Athletics Club, which helps drivers buy their own rickshaws through microcredit, these athletes train with minimal equipment—often in worn secondhand shoes. Yet their determination is paying off on the global stage. Last year, Nirina stunned international competitors by finishing second in the prestigious Mascareignes ultramarathon on Réunion Island. Their journey reflects how resilience, community support, and raw talent can break barriers far beyond Madagascar’s dusty roads.
The Guardian
