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On the 27-28th August, 2005 we sponsored a Kokoda 24 Hour Challenge from the Kokoda Memorial Hospital to the archway at Ower's Corner.
The race was won by John Hunt Hiviki who set a new record of :
22 hours : 01 minutes: and 14 seconds – 22:01:14
John lives in a village near Kokoda but his mother was originally from Kagi. If you could have all seen John's face as he crossed over the finish line you would know how much this win meant to him.
Yesterday Russell Eroro and myself received a letter from John which read:
Dear Sir/Madam,
My apology to you two, Rusty and Gail for not saying any word of thanks after the 24 hour challenge.
I would now like to say, thank you, thank you, thank you, very very much…that KTL has come across an idea/plan for 24 hour challenge.
I was in that race and had come across to the wonderful vision.
Thank you very much
John Hunt Hiviki
Trek Herounquote
IMG_1322___nice_pic.jpgWhen asked if he planned on competing again in 2006, John replied, no, I set the record, let someone break this record and I will compete again in 2007!
26 Competitors left Kokoda destined for Ower's Corner and only 12 finished in the time set down of 36 hours duration before race closure. Times were as follows:
1st – John Hunt Hiviki – 22:01:14 – Eco
2nd – Osborne Bogajiwai – 22:45:34 – Kokoda Spirit
3rd – Tom Hango – 23:34:46 – KTL
4th – Bernard Aruo – 24:08:46 – KTL
5th – Andrew (Andy) Rowan – 24:15:21 – New Zealand
6th – Russell Gurisa – 28:32:21 – Independent
7th – Abel Arari – 29:05:22 – KTL
8th – Rod Ori – 29:36:52 – KTL
9th – Wayne Urina – 30:08:12 – KTLequal 10th, 11th & 12th : Sean & Bryan O'Hara; Robert Drysdale
6 competitors retired and all others took it easy after hearing the race had been won by John Hunt, slept in the bush and walked out on Monday to Ower's Corner.
Winner of the 'Team Event' 2005 – KTL – Kokoda Trekking
John may have come up a couple of minutes earlier if he had not stopped to pose for a photograph shortly after crossing over Goldie River:
IMG_1278.jpg
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