Support Crew Information

Support Crew are vital to the success of teams in the Kokoda Challenge.

A supportive and encouraging crew behind the scenes can be all the difference between completing the Challenge and having to withdraw.  Over the past five years numerous teams have attributed their crossing the finish line to the dedication shown by their support crew. 

     

It is important that your support crew provide you with essential provisions to keep you healthy, but it is also important that your support crew are aware of your strong intention to complete the Challenge because in the later part of the course, when you are tired and weary and looking for any excuse to get home to a warm bed - it has to be your support crew who keep encouraging you with kind words and maybe even the occassional foot massage!  

Support crew are only able to access Major Checkpoints throughout the Kokoda Challenge. 

UPDATED VERSION 30th March 2010 - To download the support crew maps and directions for the Kokoda Challenge Event including the Stan Bisset Cup click on the PDF image.

Here are some basic guidelines for support crew:

• We encourage all teams to be self-sufficient with their food and drink provisions as it is unrealistic to carry all you need (particularly water) on you.  Your support crew should meet you at all the Major Checkpoints for food and drink supplies.
  
  
• A good support crew can make a huge difference on the trek. It is important that each team organise a support crew to provide them with adequate food, but also clothing,
  medical supplies, etc.
  
  
• Support crews should familiarise themselves with the trail before the event. Prior to the event, you and your support crew should survey all the Major Checkpoints to ensure they know where to meet you.  Refer to the Support Crew PDF document downloadable above.
  
  
• Support crews will need maps showing the precise location
  of the Checkpoints and a timetable showing your team’s
  estimated time of arrival at each Checkpoint. The Maps are downloadable from this website.
  
  
• Pagers and mobiles can be used to communicate with your
  support crew. Test out their reliability along the trail before
  the event.
  
  
• Some suggestions for provisions are: a change of clothes and clothes for differing weather conditions as well as spare maps, extra torches, batteries and bulbs, water, soft drinks, glucose tablets, biscuits, high energy snacks, a first-aid kit, massage cream, suntan lotion and blankets.
  
  
• Checkpoints can be very cold at night. Support crews
  should wear warm clothes. They should bring a torch and be prepared to wait. Some Checkpoints can be very crowded so please be patient.
  
  
• Support crews may not leave any support items at Checkpoints.  All rubbish must be removed and disposed of properly.
  
  
• Support crews should arrive at Checkpoints no more than
  one hour before the estimated time of arrival of your team. 
  
  
• For Checkpoints where support crew access is permitted, parking is limited. Please refer to Maps provided on specific Checkpoints regarding parking arrangements and access.
  
  
• Support vehicles will be limited to one per team. Passes
  will be issued and must be displayed on the Support Team
  vehicle to gain access to some Checkpoints. Avoid any
  problems on the day by asking your support team NOT
  to use more than one vehicle.
  
  
• Under no circumstances are support crews to access any
  control point that do not have designated support crew access. Checkpoints 2,5,7,10,12 and of course the Finish
  Line. Any breach of this rule will risk disqualification of your
  team as it poses risk of injury to competitors and officials.