Hi Kate and all trek 99ersPassed your messages to Wayne and Tom. Both were thrilled to hear from you and said thanks to all for your support.Wayne and Tom says not to worry, they will be better prepared next year. PS…kate wayne says he is looking forward to seeing the photos and thanks heapsWayne Urina struggles up the last hill towards Ower's…[Read more]

THE WINNERS…….1st, 2nd and 3rd placingJohn Hunt bagged a trophy, shield, a gold medal and K10,000 cash. The second man home, Osborne Bogijiwai (right) got himself a medal and fuzzy-wuzzy copper beating. And the third home – Tom Hango also got himself a medallion and a copper beating.Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_052.jpg

He again sincerely thanked Kokoda Trekking and especially Gail Thomas and Russell Eroro for making it possible through the Kokoda 24 hour challenge a chance to prove himself and achieve what he said he always dreamt of."It is such a successful event, everyone made an attempt to get to the finish line. I'm sorry some could not complete the race but…[Read more]

He said it becomes even more harder when everyone's trying to cover the hazardous 96 km distance in less than a day. "Everyone started out all right and halfway through the trek I've seen how a lot of the competitors had given up because the physical structure of the trail has become a complete switch-off for them both physically and mentally."He…[Read more]

The thrilling challenge has become a real test for endurance for the competitors. Most could not make it passed Nauro and towards Ower's Corner, many had given up halfway and had to remain there otherwise.And all competitors who made it past the finish line in the gruelling challenge admitted that this would be the toughest thing anyone can do.…[Read more]

Another Australian competitor Charles Chambers unfortunately could not make it to Ower's on Sunday and took his time to get there on Monday – a day after the race. Charles Chambers seen here before the race with the rest of his Anzac team mates. IMG_1258.jpg

The three from the Anzac team are: brothers Sean and Ryan O'Hara and their mate Robert Drysdale who arrived in 31 hours 24 minutes and 50 seconds to the finish line with their arms around each others shoulder.The brothers arrived late in the night with their mate to the warm welcome of loving mum and dad; Marrie and Michael who flew all the way…[Read more]

Incase you are wondering what's happening, both groups Trek 88 and Trek 146 have caught up with each other this afternoon and are all heading toward Nauro campsite. Everyone's getting along well with each other and it seems all will camp at Nauro tonight. In the time of writing – Landy Noel a guide for Trek 88 radioed and informed tha they are…[Read more]

It would take five competitors from each team to turn up at the finish line to win the team event. The organizers of the event Kokoda Trekking Limited had their fourth competitor turned up at Ower's Corner within 29 hours 5 minutes and 22 seconds. Rod Ori was exhausted by the time he arrived at Ower's Corner.Rod Ori….get's a helping hand from…[Read more]

Another local, Abel Arari came in 29 hours 5 minutes and 22 seconds after Russell. Abel experienced pain on his thighs and legs afterwards and took some painkillers.Rusty__s_Kokoda_Challenge_064.jpg

Those who have completed the race after 24 hours included four other locals and three Australian from the Anzac team. The locals included an independent runner Russell Gurisa and three runners from Kokoda Trekking Limited namely, Abel Arari, Rod Ori and Wayne Urina. Russell Gurisa (Independent runner) is past the finish line……Time clocked 28…[Read more]

Andrew clocked in at an impressive time of 24 hours 15 minutes and 21 seconds that would make him to date the fastest international competitor in the gruelling challenge. Andrew was happy with his achievement – being the fifth and last person to have broken the record."My main focus was to break Brian Freeman's record. That is what I had in my…[Read more]

The fifth and also the only international participant and the last person to have made it within 24 hours was Andrew Rowan from New Zealand. Andrew was the only New Zealander who teamed up with five Australian competitors; Charles Chambers, two brothers Sean and Brian O'Hara and a friend Robert Drysdale to form the group Anzacs during the…[Read more]

It was another's hour's wait before the 4th person came panting up Ower's Corner towards the finish line. Bernard Aruo another local employed by Kokoda Trekking Limited made it in 24 hours, 8 minutes and 46 seconds.Bernard was infact in the lead all throughout the race according to the updates we got via two-way radio network with Hunt running in…[Read more]

After the crowd up at Ower's Corner including the locals who were present jubilantly welcomed the two new heroes, Hunt and Osborne, everyone waited for almost an hour before the next competitor turned up at Ower's Corner.The third person home and to have also broken the record is Tom Hango who is currently employed by Kokoda Trekking Limited. Tom…[Read more]

As the second fastest man according to the 24-hour challenge Osborne said he was happy and could now rest easy as the record was back in Papua New Guinea."I would like to compete again next year, this time I will be more prepared. Make sure I have the appropriate equipment to compete in the challenge," the former champion said.Osborne after the…[Read more]

But while Hunt had something to eat along the way and little rest to keep him going, the former local record holder admitted having had nothing at all except a few stops for a drink of water and a change of worn-out head torch batteries."I ran most of the time and had to stop when I ran out of batteries or wanted to drink water. I had absolutely…[Read more]

When he reached, the finish line and upon hearing the exact time clocked in, Osborne punched the air, and put both his hands up as a sign of victory."I couldn't be more prouder. I am very impressed with the time achieved in this challenge – that is a big improvement from my part," Osborne said.He added that it was also an assurance that they can…[Read more]

Previous record holder for 18 years, Osborne Bogijiwai of Kokoda Spirit arrived 45 minutes later to be the second fastest man in the historic race. He clocked in 22 hours 45 minutes and 34 seconds.Before the race started in Kokoda on Saturday midday, Osborne stated to everyone present: "I don't want the money, I don't want a shield of trophy, I…[Read more]

And what a run it was. This man?s a winner. And what was his inspiration? ?I wanted to make a name for my people but most of all I wanted to get the record back on our soil and now that it is ours, I am very, very happy,? Hunt said.Hunt won the K10,000 prize money and was awarded a gold medal, a winner?s shield and a trophy along with a ?fuzzy,…[Read more]