http://www.kokodachallenge.com/Latest news for the Kokoda Challengeen-ushttp://www.kokodachallenge.com/news.xmlI have been one of the most privileged people in the world. To be apart of something like the Kokoda kids has brought the best out of me and for that matter, it has brought the best out of everyone in the Gold Coast team.This program has changed my life. I have met some of the most wonderful people who I now call my friends and love very dearly; and I have been mentored by a few of the world's greatest.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/helping-aussie-teens---georgias-kokoda-story-186Kokoda Challenge is coming to Melbourne!The Kokoda Challenge Association is spreading its wings. Thanks to the support of our major sponsor Boost Juice Bars, we will be launching a Kokoda Challenge event (30km) in Melbourne on the 24th of October this year.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsThe best way to describe last Wednesday night is INSPIRATIONAL.An intense feeling of fulfilment overflowed into the room as the 2009 Kokoda Kids completed their 14 month journey in the company of their proud parents, supporters and the Kokoda Diggers at the official Graduation Ceremony held at Southport R.S.L. Each one of them stood tall, reflecting on their achievements and the positive changes that they have made in their lives.Ben Tuckwell, a Brisbane Kokoda Kid, shared with the crowd of more than 150 his previous fear of public speaking exemplifying his new found confidence.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/this-is-what-its-all-about-185The best way to describe last Wednesday night is INSPIRATIONAL.An intense feeling of fullfilment overflowed into the room as the 2009 Kokoda Kids completed their 14 month journey in the company of their proud parents, supporters and the Kokoda Diggers at the official Graduation Ceremony held at Southport R.S.L. Each one of them stood tall, reflecting on their achievements and the positive changes that they have made in their lives.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/this-is-what-its-all-about-188A fresh looking group of Kokoda Challenge competitors and supporters traded trekking boots for thongs, and camel backs for cordial on Sunday afternoon at the first ever Presentation Picnic.The Gold Coast weather put on a show, as did Kokoda Challenge entertainer Jeff the bag man who rocked out some Aussie classics on stage.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/presentation-picnic-184There is no doubt the Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge is tough, but how does it compare to the actual Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea?Wayne Wetherall, director of Kokoda Spirit Trekking has walked the Kokoda Track more than 40 times! And he also participated in his second Kokoda Challenge this year and whilst Wayne acknowledges the many obstacles of the Gold Coast event he says it doesn't compare to the real thing in Papua New Guinea.The Kokoda Track in PNG provides a much harsher and challenging environment. There are huge variations in weather and track conditions and temperatures range from 6 degrees through to 36 degrees with humidity hovering around the high 90% region, says Wayne. http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/so-how-does-the-challenge-compare-to-the-actual-kokoda-track-182On the weekend of the challenge a special group of you were cursing the false peek at Pages Pinnacle, or negotiating another river crossing on the Waterfall Loop or blinking in torch light like a stunned animal whilst rambling up the hill to Syd Duncan Park.Another very patient group negotiated the parking at Polly's Kitchen, braved the cold at Mt Nimmel Hall and hung dirty shoes off the side of their cars.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/sometimes-technology-decides-to-take-a-break-183Of our two teams, only 2 of us managed to finish.Listening to the stories of the people who failed to complete the Kokoda Challenge, I am a bit jealous of what they have experienced. In my opinion, the distance covered is irrelevant. What is relevant is what you learn when you push your body to failure.Some people fail at 5km, others fail at 100km, the Kokoda challenge was just a format that allowed as many people as possible to experience physical failure in its rawest form such as physical exhaustion, combined with sleep deprivation in the cold and dark. To top it off, they make you compete as a team, so pulling out makes you feel as though you are letting your team down.What does that do to you as a person?I can tell you that it is emotional, this sort of thing brings grown men to sob. But what comes out of this is a deep understanding of the human spirit. Getting to that point is like living an entire lifetime in one event, from jovial beginnings to a bitter end, where you think you can go on, but your body is slowly dying on you.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/in-the-hours-preceding-failure-180There were tears and cheers and not a person who didnt learn something about themselves, their team or spare a thought for what the diggers endured on the Kokoda Track in 1942.Team Nike Hammer set a new event record of an amazing 11 hours and 48 minutes. In contrast to the last team of four that crossed the line late last night some 39 hours after beginning.But what stood out about this years Kokoda Challenge was not the time the teams crossed the line, but the spirit in which they did it 50% of teams crossed walked underneath the guns as a full team of four, demonstrating the true spirit of the event mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice.Thank you to all those people who contributed to making the weekend a great success.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/kokoda-challenge-a-great-success-178On the weekend we were fortunate to have a great team of event photographers and video crew.Photo's are available to view and purchase here and if you would like to order a Kokoda Challenge DVD for $25 including postage please email dean@hwcreative.com.auThank you to Dean, Stephen, Michael, John, Cathryn and all the team.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/reflections-of-the-challenge-179Good luck to all the competitors in the 2010 Kokoda Challenge!http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/good-luck-17717 year old Zac Clarkson is the first blind person to attempt the Kokoda Challenge. Fellow 2010 competitor and ten newsreader Bill McDonald interviews Zac and his team mates from Miami High.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/kokoda-challenge-on-ten-news-with-bill-mcdonald-176Blistered feet are the number one complaint of Kokoda Challenge competitors, followed by aching muscles, sprained ankles, bung knees and a certainty that the final sign posts are incorrect. But fast forward four weeks and although the pain is not yet forgotten, the tune has changed, as participants and volunteers reunite for post race banter and celebrations. http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/cheers-for-trekkers-181Sam Donovan from Anaconda is a three time support crew member. In 2010 not only will he be helping with the setup and operation of major checkpoint twelve he will be in the support crew for four teams Channel Ten, 97.3FM and Anaconda teams 1 and 2.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/support-who-174Long time KCA supporters Meredith and Tam have produced a great Kokoda memento to remember your achievements. The 'Framed Memories' has a course profile, with all checkpoints marked that your photo's will fit nicely into. For more information click here or visit the finish line at Nerang.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/framed-memories-175When Dan visited my school at the start of 2009 he captured my full attention and created a compulsive desire to participate in the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program, but when it came to collect the necessary forms my heart sank how could I be chosen from so many. Nevertheless I applied, and before I knew it I was in an interview with Joh and Dan struggling to find any confidence to speak properly. I left that day feeling though there was no chance and yet I foolishly held onto hope. Finally I received a call telling me that I had been accepted, and all I could say was Cool, thanks.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/bens-kokoda-story-part-1-172Below is a quick list of the do's and don'ts for Kokoda Challenge support crew. Please take the time to read over to ensure the sustainability of this great event.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/support-crew-dos-and-donts-of-the-kokoda-challenge-173Scott Whimpey provides first aid advice for Kokoda Challenge competitors.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsThe KCA are thrilled to have a large number of high school participants in this years event. There has been a 30% increase in high school entries in the last two years forcing the introduction of a cap of 50 teams in each of the Stan Bisset and Jim Stillman Cups.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/schools-keep-motivation-on-track-170Five time competitor Lyndsey Phillips gives tips for the 2010 event in AZ.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/the-a-z-of-the-kokoda-challenge---10-survival-guide-169Thank you to all those who attended the Gold Coast and Brisbane Briefing Nights. If you weren't able to make it on the night the notes will be live in the competitors area later today. Please take the time to read over all the important event details.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/briefing-night-information-166The 54 teenagers from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Tweed Branches of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program will be taking part in the Southern Cross University 10km run this Saturday. The group is one of the largest team entries in the event and are competing as part of their preparation for the 96km Kokoda Challenge.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/kokoda-kids-in-scu-10km-run-167Last year, the night before the Kokoda Challenge we were as prepared as we could be we'd trained our hearts out and organised everything to the last detail. An early night was in order so three of our team members and our support crew swallowed our nerves and headed off to bed. Just after nine, when most other competitors were tucked up warm in their beds, disaster struck... http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/making-it-to-the-starting-line-165Great news, during the 2010 Kokoda Challenge, the innovative Virtual Spectator tracking system will be reaching new high...We are excited to announce that not only will we be tracking teams' progress with real time mapping, you will now be able to view live stream videos of the start, halfway, finish line and teams progressing on the track!And because we know those who are participating are keen to get messages out to their supporters (and vice versa) we have added a live message board think twitter meets Australia's toughest endurance event yep it's going to go off like a cracker.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/become-a-virtual-spectator-164Team Impies is a business team from Healthy Life in Indooroopilly, the group consists of long time colleagues Isabelle, Dorte, Michelle and their team leader Yusaf. They are first time Kokoda Challenge competitors and are very excited to be involved.So, we decided to do a quick QA with team leader Yusaf...http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/team-news-the-headlamps-on---yusaf-from-team-impies-163Ronni, Chris, Shane and Sophie were teenagers when they became part of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP) in its inaugural year back in 2006. Since then they have each taken different paths and had varying life experiences Ronnie is completing an extended major in archaeology, Chris has served in the Defence Force in East Timor, Shane works in retail and is studying youth services and Sophie is a paramedic. This year they have all been reunited, returning to the KCYP as group leaders.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/the-student-becomes-the-master-162The briefing nights are being held next week these nights will cover critical event information such as registration, safety, preparation, support crew information, parking and tips to give you the best chance of making it to the finish line. http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/-briefing-nights---important-information-for-competitors-161Each week we will be introducing you to one of the young people in the 2010 Kokoda Challenge Youth Program. We hope that by reading their stories you can get to know how amazing these teenagers are and share their journey with them.Kokoda Kids Story, written by 16 year old Connor from the Gold Coast 1 Branch.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/meet-the-kokoda-kids---connor-from-gc1-160Samantha Simmons is an amazing, selfconfident, vibrant young woman, full of vitality and an enthusiasm for life! But it wasn't so very long ago when she was a totally different personality.Sam was a nice but chronically shy individual who wasn't sure of herself or anyone else. In the space of about 12 months to 2 years, she changed into the person she is today. And the key to that change was a growing self confidence in herself and her abilities to do and be whatever she wanted to be. What brought about this change? Well, in a word exercise!Sam is one of the . Competitors who a representing Spectrum Recreation and Fitness at Lawton. The group will be carrying deactivated .303 rifles and battle fatigues and each have an individual fitness goal.So we decided to ask Sam a few questions about her Kokoda Challengehttp://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/the-headtorch-is-on---sam-simmons-from-team-fighting-mcs-158Way back in 2005, before tracking chips, Twitter and Twilight (how did we survive?) the Ultra Distance Runners Club organised the 29km mini Kokoda Challenge as a training exercise in preparation for the big event, the 96km Kokoda Challenge. The Mini Kokoda has since become a noteworthy day of its own, with more than 500 competitors and individuals taking to the track.The Mini Kokoda starts at Numinbah Hall (the halfway mark in the Kokoda Challenge course), and rambles past the Environmental Centre, up over Pages Pinnacle and down to Polly's Kitchen the turnaround point.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/mini-kokoda-challenge---registration-closes-this-wednesday-159Sagadevan Mundree, Kubashini Mundree, Vimlan Pillay and Mumtaz Jeevaji, hail from South Africa, Australia and India, and together they form 'Team Sai', who last Saturday night hosted a Bollywood themed dinner dance to raise money for the young Australian's in the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/kokoda-goes-bollywood-155Team slackers, are not in fact (as the name suggests) slack, but they are all Police Officers representing Slacks Creek Police Station, located in the Daisy Hill area. Jason Howlett is a first time competitor and member of the team, so we asked Jason few questions about the event...http://www.kokodachallenge.com/newsview/the-headtorch-is-on---team-slackers-157