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FIVE male runners from Kokoda Trekking Limited (KTL) completed the Kokoda 24-hour Challenge to bag the team event award set aside for the team with the first five members to arrive at Ower's Corner.
Tom Hango, Bernard Aruo, Abel Arari, Rod Ori and Wayne Urina all from the town of Kokoda turned up at Ower?s Corner on Sunday to claim their team event prize. They were also just so proud to be in the elite group of 12 who actually completed the challenge in the time limit set down of 36 hours. No 2nd prize was awarded as no other team managed to complete the gruelling 96 km track.
Wayne Unrina (left) and Rod Ori holding onto the cheque of K2,500 and Abel Arari (sitted) holding the shield. Tom Hango (who came third in the race and got himself a medal) and Bernard Aruo (4th) has already left Ower's Corner when we took this picture.
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_087.jpgGail Thomas, one of the trek organisers, was excited when she found that five of her kokoda boys had reached Ower's Corner, as part of the elite 12 to have finished the event in the time limit set down of 36 hours duration before the challenge was officially closed off for 2005.
?Hang on, we?ve got five of our boys home she said – so that means we have won the team event,?.
She wasted no time and did an official presentation for the boys, though everyone had left and darkness was already settling in at Ower's Corner.
Gail Thomas puts her arm around Rod Ori who had slipped and fell whilst sharing the track with the lead runners and helps him into the tent at Ower's Corner after he had crossed over the finish line. From the time Rod injured himself, he limped home in pain but still managed to finish in the top 5 – well done Rod, you are one of our hero's. For those of you who do not know about Rod, he hails from the Kerema Province and represented PNG in sprint events over 100 & 200 & 400 metre events. He married a girl from Kovello and has settled there with his family. He now works as one of our guides and specialises in our 6 day fast treks:
IMG_1340___Gail___Rod.jpgThe small presentation of the team event was witness by us at KTL including Maree and Michael O?Hara from Sydney who flew in to PNG to witness their two sons Sean and Brian.
The boys; Wayne, Bernard, Tom and Rod, were in the lead all the time from the beginning of the race.
(L-R) One of our guides, one of the guys with our police escort, Justus Bapao, Maree and Michael.
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_080.jpgThey said they would have made it first but have all experienced problems along the way.
?I would have made it all the way and to the finish earlier if I hadn?t injured my knee,? Wayne who was clearly disappointed because of his injured knee said.
Wayne, completed the race even though he injured his knee. He walks with the support of his walking stick up the last steps to Ower's Corner.
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_077.jpgWayne fell and injured his knee at Nauro and that slowed him down. Before then he was ahead of everyone.
He said, he also had problems with his torch batteries. ?I would have run all night if I had enough batteries for the night.?
Wayne with Gail Thomas who welcomed him with a song at Ower's Corner……
When the boys took off from Kokoda Memorial Hospital, John Denver's TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROAD belted out from the PA system. During the last climb at Ower's Corner, Wayne was in considerable pain and was really struggling…..thats when Gail started singing the same song, TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROAD and he smiled, dug deep and got across the finish line. Before long others joined in and everyone was singing the song…..it gave Wayne the inspiration he needed to get up those last few yards and finish in the top 10:
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_078.jpgRod Ori who was the main tip for KTL boys, was also ahead but had his knees injured at Efogi ? that too slowed him down.
However, both Rod and Wayne manage to make it to the finish line. ?We will be more prepared next year. We have learnt something on this first race,? the guys said.
Rod Ori struggling up hill…..
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_070.jpgThe guys were happy with their turned up which made them the winners of the team event.
?We are happy at least we have made a name for the company in winning the team event,? Rod said.
Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_079.jpgWith the challenge set for next year, everyone is looking forward to compete with better results.
From the KTL boys ?This isn?t the end and we are looking forward to another race.?
Ends//
KTL team at the beginning of the race started out with eight (8) players. Three didn't make it till Monday – a day after the race.
IMG_1264.jpgSincere congratulations to everyone and especially the KTL runners and especially my friend Rod from Kerema. A wonderful effort, having walked the Track for 8 days, it is difficult to imagine that it can be conquered in less than ONE DAY! You have done yourselves proud and I have contacted Phil, Patrick, Haydn and Steve and let them know of your wonderful effort.
Rod I sent a Water/Hydration Pack up for you but it seems to have gone missing, I'll try and find out what happened to it as I had two donated by a Qld Company and I decided to give them to you and Justice. I hope we can find them for you.
Congratulations again and to gail and Staff of KTL who organised the event. was there a prize for Women, as I may have a starter for next year?
Well done
Waza (Trek 83)
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