Kokoda Challenge

In 6 weeks time myself and 3 others (Merryl, Dave and Pete) will contest the Kokoda Challenge. The Kokoda Challenge is designed to reflect the key elements of the Spirit of our nation. The Challenge is a cross-country, running, bushwalking team event over 96kms which represents the distance of the Kokoda Track, to be completed within 39hours which symbolises the 39 th Militia Battalion, the first of our Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda, 15th July 1942.

It requires a team of 4 who must ALL complete the course together ie the 4 Team members who Start the Event Must be the SAME 4 Team Members who FINISH the Event, together. Much of the trek covers very difficult terrain in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Last years winning team finished the event in 19hours (though there isn’t any place prizes as the emphasis is on competing and completing). We hope (health permitting) to do around 24hours though our first goal is to complete the course as a team of 4, whatever that takes.

The Challenge will commence at 7am on Saturday 15th July 2006 at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on the Gold Coast Hinterland - proceed in a south westerly direction, winding through varous forest areas and arriving at the highest point, Lower Beachmont: From here the trek winds downwards through Mt Nathan - north to Nerang State Forest then to the finish at Nerang.
Long hours have been spent in the Bunya Forest getting distance and hills into our legs, but the hills there are just babies compared to what we will have to cover in the event. To check out the website go to http://www.kokodachallenge.com/

Mary