kokoda-challenge

Australia’s toughest single discipline team event. According to a number of competitors including George Takas, Team Leader of team ASICS, The Kokoda Challenge is the toughest single discipline team event in Australia. Takas, who has completed three Hawaiian Ironmans and is a four time Australian triathlon representative, was first to the line with his team in the inaugural event, clocking a time of 19 hours and five minutes.

The Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was the setting for arguably the most significant military campaign in Australian history. In July 1942, young Australian soldiers withstood and then overcame the might of the Japanese army. Today in Australia, we celebrate the memory of that critical battle with what is undoubtedly the toughest cross country team event in Australia.

The Kokoda Challenge is a 96 kilometre event over steep hills and rugged terrain. Although not a race as such, many of the competitors would dearly love to be first to the line. It is a 39 hour event, challenging teams of four. Carefully laid out along forestry tracks and fire breaks and trails, the trek winds its way from Mudgeeraba (QLD) through the Gold Coast Hinterland and finally through the Nerang State Forest finishing at the Nerang Velodrome.

By 6am on a winter’s morning in July 2005, teams are signing in and jostling for position near the starting line. There’s an amazing atmosphere. Shortly before 7am a short service in honour of the diggers is enacted and a bugler sounds the Last Post. The atmosphere is electric with hundreds of eager walkers striding out to an experience none of them will ever forget.

Hours later, the enormity of the task before them slowly sinks in but there are no flying bullets and no screams of agony – just the sound of their heavy breathing.

The Kokoda Challenge is a fundraising event to support young Australians and give them the opportunity to realise their full potential.

All checkpoints, of which there are 14, are manned by over 200 volunteers from the Gold Coast Bushwalking Club, SES and local RSL Clubs.

In 2005, 15 young Aussies successfully completed the real Kokoda Track in PNG. As part of their training they also took on the Kokoda Challenge and were inspirational to many of the more mature entrants, particularly the Ashmore Assassins team. At checkpoint 11 the Assassins were ready to retire. The checkpoint volunteers (of which the author was one) encouraged them to continue in the Challenge and pointed out that they had already travelled 72 kilometres with only 24 kilometres to finish, and the rest of the day to complete it. It was still quite dark with sunrise still another hour away and suddenly the Kokoda Kids arrived. They were all the Assassins needed to lift their spirits and continue the challenge.

Over the following 24 kilometres, one team member lost eight of his toenails. Committed to finishing as a team, his mates carried him the last three kilometres to the finish line. That’s what the spirit of Kokoda is about, courage, sacrifice, mateship and endurance.

The Ashmore Assassins were the recipients of the ‘Spirit of Kokoda’ award, surely the most prestigious award of the Challenge.

Of the 68 teams in the inaugural event, only 22 completed the course in their original teams. 13 teams finished with three members. An additional 16 composite groups finished along with the three Kokoda Kids teams. Amazingly, with few exceptions they have all committed to compete in the 2006 event.

I leave you with the words of Andy Cutts, senior PTI Northern command and team leader of team HSB (and second outright). "When feeling down and spent, raise your heads and remember the spirit of Kokoda. Listen, hear your breathing and the sounds of freedom. No screams, no bullets, say to yourself ‘yes you can do it’. And get up and keep going."