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Time really flies and it will not be long before our 2008 KOKODA CHALLENGE RACE gets underway at Owers' Corner.
The time to beat is held by BRENDAN BUKA – set in 2006 – 17 hours 49 minutes.
This year Brendan has been undecided whether or not to put his name down for this year's race but today he informed me, that he will definitely be competing!
Quite a few of our boys are in training mode. So just who is in training?
Last week we were approached by several local road runners who hold various records for marathons here in PNG. Three went on a training walk with Horace Yauga, Tom Hango (last years winner from Owers' to Kokoda and Wilson Sevesi.
The commenced at Owers' Corner and when they flew back in from Kokoda they said it was going to be much harder than they thought and it might take them 3 years training to win this race as our KTL boys left them for dead out on the track. Today when driving around I spotted one of these guys running along the road at full throttle so is taking this race seriously. He is also from the same place as Brendan so possibly has the same genes.
Andrew Yauga and Wilson chose last Wednesday to walk back in from Kokoda instead of flying. They left on Wednesday and were already at Owers' Cnr on the Friday allowing for one night's sleep.
Then today we said goodbye to several competitors working on Trek 428 – refer pic below:
For anyone interested in this race, please contact us as Entry Forms for our race for 2008 are now available. They must be completed and returned to us no later than the 20th August together with the registration fee.
We are planning on capping the number in this years race, so please do not be late with your registration form so you do not miss out on a spot in this years race.
Photograph:
Left to Right, Wayne Urina (2nd fastest on the track in 18:51:57); Lancelot Geroia (22 Hours 21 Minutes ); Brendan Buka – the trek champion in both directions. Set in 2006 Owers' Cnr to Kokoda – a record 17 hours 49 minutes. Set in 2007 Kokoda to Owers' Cnr – a record 17 hours 20 minutes); Horace Yauga (4th fastest 20:39:51) and Wilson (22 hours+)
DSCN0080__Small_.JPGSo just who will win this years race – who will become the 2008 trek champion? Only time will tell! They say the Melbourne Cup stops the nation, well this race stops the track.
Children, parents, trekkers stay awake to welcome competitors as they pass by on their way to the checkpoints.
Damon Goerke the fastest overseas competitor (white man) commented that he will never ever forget arriving in Efogi to the sounds of waltzing matilda. At that point he was leading the race and it was very exciting. For everyone in Kokoda it was like you could hear a pin drop with everyone wondering can our PNG guys catch the AUSSIE !!!
And catch him he did – Brendan Buka caught up with Damon around Myola Junction area and they stayed pretty much together until Eora Creek when the rubber band holding them together snapped and Brendan took off for home. Some say Brendan was making sure the aussie did not get drowned in Eora Creek, whatever when they parted Brendan must have powered as he came home some two hours ahead of Damon.
Brendan commented that he feels that one day an overseas competitor will come and break his record, will it be this year in 2008?
One thing for sure, no-one wins this race if they stop to sleep!
If you are interested in entering or sponsoring a porter, please contact me.
In 2007 we ran two races at the same time back to back as some boys wanted to have a crack at Brendan's record and Brendan himself was out to break John Hunt's record from 2005. One race commenced at Owers and the other in Kokoda at 7am. This year there will only be one race commencing at Owers's Corner. Damon commented that in racing you want to win and be the best which is why this year there will be only one race in one direction only.
Photographs:
Pic 1: Brendan Buka – winner Kokoda to Owers' Race 2007
Pic 2: Tom Hango – winner Owers' Corner to Kokoda Race 2007Photographs:
2007 winner Brendan Buka shortly after he arrived at Owers' Corner
Brendan_Buka.jpgBrendan Buka as seen here in Kokoda in 2006 when he smashed John Hunt Hiviki's record set in 2005.
2006_Brendan_Buka_Winner_17hrs_49_mins.jpg
Winner_2006_Brendan_Buka.jpgPhotographs – 2007 Kokoda Challenge:
Pic 1: The start at Kokoda
Pic 2: The start at Owers' Corner
Start_at_Kokoda_End_260807__Medium_.jpg
Start_of_Race_Owers_Corner_to_Kokoda__Small_.jpgUpdate 7th August:
We have heard from Doug Henderson that two of the NIKE HAMMER team members will be coming to contest our event so Brendan Buka's invitation will be accepted it seems. Will try and get a profile on the two competitors but my memory tells me they are two serious contenders. One I believe has won a prominent race in Sydney a few times so could be a dark horse in this event….will they beat our PNG boys?
This morning I received a phone call from Daniel in Goroka saying they were organising a race up there for the fastest guy who trains with them to come down and challenge our local boys. All I can say is if he has the same genes as Brendan Buka, anything is possible as Goroka is where he was born.
A few more of our KTL boys are preparing to take on this challenge as well and the list is growing daily. It now stands as follows:
Andrew Yauga – Iora Block
Brendan Buka – Kokoda Block
Andrew Mukawa – Botue Village
Bill Harike – Kokoda Block
Charles Mambia – Amanda Village
Chris Orimba – Kendasu Village
Christopher Lahai – Saga Village
Cliff Taimbari – Iora Block
David (Duggie) Eroro – Kokoda Block
Emmanuel Awai Konehe – Botue Village
Hohone Kovowa – Plantation
Horace Yauga – Iora Block
Jenen Barai – Kokoda Block
Lancelot Geroia – Waju Village
Lancelot Yauga – Iora Block
Lulu Pehara – Kumusi Village
Mathias Geroia – Waju Village
Oswald Isoro – Ilimo Village
Sioni Orosambo – Kumusi Village
Siron Overari – Sairope Village
Slimmy Sairo – Sairope Village
Tom Hango – Iora Village
Wayne Urina – Kokoda Block
Wilson Sevesi – Port Moresby/TufiUpdate 10th August: NEWS FLASH – two of the Nike Hammer winners of the Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge have advised today that they have their tickets booked and will be registering shortly for our own race. Just do a google search on their names – quite impressive!
quote:
Hi Gail
Well it's set – tickets are purchased and both Don Wallace and myself will be up to have a look at the track It's a dream come true for both of us – Always wanted to do the trek – look foward to meeting you
We will register through your website in the next couple of days
Peter Hall
BRING IT ON!!!! – will the aussies beat our PNG guys – only time will tell.
Nike_Hammer.jpgAlso an email from Damon Goerke presently the fastest international competitor on the track in 19 + hours – I will be back in Australia on the 19th August. If I am still feeling good after competing in the Bull of Africa Race expect a PHONE CALL !!!
Today I did a search on where they are in the race and if I am correct the team of four appear to be coming in third position overall which is quite good.
Hopefully Damon will still have some energy left to take on KOKODA !!!
Should you wish to track the teams progress click on the following link:
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