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This weekend anxious trekkers take on the 2008 Kokoda Challenge and the forecast is for mostly fine weather all weekend!
This is welcomed news to many first time trekkers who are nervous enough about taking up the 96km Challenge and didn't need or want the added discomfort of cold damp clothes and mud that comes with wet weather.
However, showers are predicted on Tuesday and Wednesday which will ensure some sections of the route will be slippery and creeks will be flowing.
Russell__s_Logo__Small__300_size.jpgThe Kokoda Challenge is a cross-country bushwalking team event where teams of 4 people trek a 96km course through the Gold Coast Hinterland within a 39 hour time limit.
The event was designed to reflect the key elements of the Spirit of Kokoda – with 96km representing the actual distance of the Kokoda Track and the 39 hours symbolizing the 39th Militia who were the first of our Australian troops to arrive at Kokoda on 15th July 1942.
The four person teams are required to advance through 14 checkpoints to the finish line. At designated checkpoints teams are able to take a break and regroup with the help of their support crew.
The route is full of rugged terrain and climbs totalling 5000 metres. There is no doubt that those who take up the Kokoda Challenge will need to call on the spirit of ANZAC that was born in Gallipoli and held fast in Kokoda – ENDURANCE, SACRIFICE, COURAGE and MATESHIP.
We had entered in a team of our own but to this date the PNG Immigration & Citizenship Division have not issued them with passports.
Today in desperation I emailed the Minister for Tourism and Peter Vincent at the Tourism Promotion Authority hoping in some way they could help get the passports raised and released.
John Brock at the Australian High Commission has advised us they will do their best to issue visa's to enter Australia promptly if we can get hold of the passports.
Fingers crossed we obtain them tomorrow as time is fast running out for our KTL boys to compete in this race. Last year they did us proud coming home 4th out of close on 170 teams of four that competed in 2007. This year there are over 200 teams entered in this event.
Will keep you posted but it does not look good at this stage.
Last year Damon Goerke who ran with out elite team wrote an article which you may all like to read:
http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…hl=damon+goerke
Photograph: Our KTL boys showing off their brand new Salomon shoes.
KTL_Boys.jpgIn 2007 we sent to the Gold Coast three support crew and they were thrilled to meet up with Mal Meninga.
left to right: Andrew Yauga, Mal Meninga, Wallace Lemeki and Rod Ori
Mal_Meninga.jpgHi
IS this the race Brendan is in?
Karen
Editors note: yes Karen, this is the race but we can't get the passports out of the Immigration Office along with 2000 + people it seems crammed into their office every day of the week…quite frustrating for a whole lot of people.
Tom Hango despite being at Immigration the majority of the day still came home empty handed. They did inform him however that three are in the system and may come good and to go back again tomorrow.
If we get the three we will have a team as Wayne Urina last year was lucky enough to get a 'real passport' not a 'Certificate of Identity' which is only valid for 1 year.
I asked Tom, which THREE????
He replied sorry they would not give me that information, just come back tomorrow at 9:30am
This afternoon a lady from the Tourism Promotion Authority phoned saying she would try and help so who knows we may be lucky and then maybe not!
No doubt Jenen Barai (centre) in this photograph will be hoping he is one of the group of 4 should the passports come good. Jenen entered our own Kokoda Challenge in 2007 and led all the way to Myola Junction 1900 area where he developed a hip problem. He pushed on to Kovelo where it got serious and poor guy gave up. He was then driven down to Kokoda as he could not walk any longer. He quickly recovered but said he went out too hard too quick.
DSCF0118__Small_.JPGTom Hango (centre in this pic) went on to win the race from Owers' Corner to Kokoda in a little over 19 hours. No doubt he too is hoping one of the passports if issued is for himself especially as he has spent hours and hours standing in the Immigration office hoping for a miracle.
DSCF0127__Small_.JPGLast year we ran our race in two different directions at the same time both starting at each end at 7am. Brendan Buka came home 17 hours and 20 minutes from when he started creating a new record from Kokoda to Owers' Corner and collected a cheque of K10,000.00.
As Tom did not break Brendan's record set the previous year of 17 hours 49 minutes he collected K5000.00 for his win.
Photograph:
Brendan Buka shortly after he arrived at Owers' Corner. The next competitor to arrive after Brendan was some two hours later. News in from Kokoda this week indicates he may not enter this year and will sit back to see if anyone breaks his record. If so, then the following year he will enter to win it back again.
DSCF0133__Small_.JPGUpdate 18th July Bad luck for our KTL boys as their passports did not eventuate so obviously they could not travel to Australia for this event.
Naturally we are all disappointed but what can we do as we have to rely on Immigration to raise their passports.
We wish the organisers a great weekend along with the competitors – may it be the success it was this time last year!
what a shame, Gail, I know how hard you would have worked to make it all happen, and how disapointed you and they must be.
Hey there Gail,
So sorry to hear that the visa's did not come through, what a disapointment for the boys as well as your self. Do not be disheartened though I am sure it will happen next year and the boys will make their mark on the Gold Coast.
I would of loved to have watched their progress, who knows I may be watching them closer than I think next year, rumour has it I may give it a go.
Love Kristi Trek 423 – completed 12-7-08tks for your support. I feel more sorry for the airlines such as Air Niugini and Airlines of PNG. So many people trying desperately to get passports to travel to no avail. As a result loss of bums on seats they could otherwise sell.
Freddy Yauga submitted his passport application in January and is still waiting!
If they had only done the right thing last year we would have had passports but out of 11 passports they only issued three proper ones and all the others were 'Certificate of Identies' which are only valid for 12 months.
This is why we had to go through the whole painful experience all over again! So frustrating but thats life in PNG nothing is considered urgent!
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