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3 degrees Damon, its going to be 3 degrees! Wayne said shortly after meeting me at the Gold Coast Airport. I had just flown up to join Brendan, Wayne and Horace to compete in the Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge 2007. It is a 96km trail run through the rugged Gold Coast hinterland, where teams of 4 run together aiming to raise funds for Kokoda Kids Charity and to honour the memory of the Kokoda campaign during WW2 in PNG. There is a 39 hour time limit, in memory of the 39th battalion who were the first to see action in PNG.
Brendan, Wayne and Horace are all Papua New Guineans from Kokoda village I had met in 2006 when I ran the track. Between us, we have the 4 fastest crossing of the track with Brendan being the record holder of just over 17 hours.
The boys were sponsored by Kokoda Trekking to come over and compete, whom they normally work for as guides and porters. I had kept in touch with them since my last visit and was excited when they asked me to join them. Another 8 PNG boys were also sent over by KTL, so in total we had 3 teams trying to beat the Aussies (I was now considered a Kokoda wantok)! The teams were:
Team KTL Elite:
- Brendan Buka
- Wayne Urina
- Damon Goerke
- Horace Yauga
Team KTL Boys:
- Tom Hango
- Cyprian Aire
- John Korove
- David Eroro
Team KTL Wantoks:
- John Eroro
- Cyprian Haera
- Vincent Idau
- Tony Ogomeni
Photograph: Group Pic:
IMGP4314__Medium_.JPGWayne and Brendan were powering along and getting a bit frustrated with our progress. It was now dark and they pushed on, their light disappearing ahead, leaving Horace and myself to bring up the rear. A ripper downhill from Hellfire Pass led to the CP10 and then the final real climb of the event. This was where the pre race briefing mentioned it would be 3 degrees and what the boys had been dreading, but on reaching the summit paddock we found Wayne and Brendon lying in the grass relaxing. Knowing that they had survived the coldest section they were relieved and we entered CP11 for our final fuel up.
Photograph: Last minute pep talk:
IMGP4208__Medium_.JPGThe last section of 18km only had a few minor ups and downs and we cruised along as best we could.
We saw a sign saying 5km to go about the same time as we noticed head torches right behind us. I was with Horace who was going as fast as he could up the last hill, Wayne and Brendan were up ahead.
On reaching the top, Horace put on a burst and we took off soon catching the other two.
On mentioning the other team, they fired up too and we all finished strongly in a time of 16 hours, in 4th place. The next team finished 18 minutes later, getting a groan from Horace who had obviously pushed himself thinking they were right behind us!
Photograph: just check out those GLOVES:
IMGP4211__Medium___GLOVES.jpgThanks to our sponsors, Gail and Russell at Kokoda Trekking, Air Niugini, Mountain Designs and Salomon.
Thanks also to our support crew Nathan, Cheree, Mikayla, Wallace and Andrew. And to all the ex-trekkers who came to cheer us on and cooked us breakfast.
I had an absolute ball with everyone and thought all the guys did an awesome job in their first race in Australia.
Good luck to all the guys who are backing up and running the real Kokoda Track in a month's time, I'm sure the records will be falling again.
Photograph: Support Crew – left to right: Andrew Yauga, Nathan Thomas, Rod Ori, Mikayla Thomas, Cheree Thomas and Wallace Lemeki.
IMGP4221_support_crew.jpgPhotograph: Support Crew and anxious trekkers wait for our teams to come home! You will see my daughter talking on a mobile….I could not be there but hey, I was there at the end on the phone driving everyone nuts, ringing back and forth until they were all safely across the finish line, safe and sound. You will note a uke'ule player….yes, the boys all took their uke'ule's to Australia and were playing constantly every chance they got.
IMGP4253__Medium__the_end.jpgPhotograph: Our 'Elite' Team, 4th placing overall, not bad for a 1st attempt and we are just so proud of them.
IMGP4271__Medium_.JPGPhotograph: KTL Wantoks – minus John Derick Eroro who had to retire due to cramping problems:
IMGP4283__Medium_.JPGPhotograph: The next day under our tent waiting on the presentation mid afternoon. Lots of trekkers popped by, past and future, to say hello. One trekker Vicky Coleman travelled all the way from Darwin!
IMGP4287__Medium_.JPGPhotograph: one of the highlights for our support crew was to meet Mal Meninga.
left to right: Andrew Yauga, Mal Meninga, Wallace Lemeki and Rod Ori….what a thrill this was for them.
IMGP4291__Medium____Mal_Meninga.jpgPhotograph: our guys entertaining as always:
IMGP4296___uke__ule_players.jpg
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