April 18, 2015
A group of Kumbia residents are currently in training to walk 96km along fire trails in the rugged Gold Coast Hinterland bush – in the middle of winter.
They have to complete the walk – which includes steep climbs and multiple creek crossings – within 39 hours, but they’re hoping to do it much more quickly so they only have to spend one night in the open.
The Kokoda Challenge, a fundraiser for the Kokoda Youth Program, has been billed as Australia’s toughest team endurance event. It crosses 12 creeks and climbs a total of 5000m.
But they breed them tough in Kumbia …
For Sharon Labudda, the training has included walking up an down a hill in Antarctica – yes, Antarctica – towing two car tyres behind her five times a day.
And the temperature? Down to minus 55 degrees C. (Sharon works with the Australian Antarctic Division and has just returned from her latest season on the ice).
Fellow walker Teresa Francis has also been doing the car-tyre trick, but just around Kumbia. However, her training has also included walking into Kingaroy from Kumbia, and timed walks up and down Mt Wooroolin (five times a day).
The other two members of the team are Ashley and Kellie Barron.
Ashley is probably getting all the exercise he needs working full-time and running around as president of the South Burnett Speedway Club, but Kellie has also been getting in some training … taking some “short” 24km walks.
Teresa said she had previously completed other similar fundraising events including a series of obstacle runs, the Kokoda Grunt, the 20km Tough Mudder and the Jurassic Mud Run, but none of them were anywhere near as long as this latest challenge which would be a test of mental preparedness as well as fitness.
Each team member has to carry food and water and a first aid kit. They are currently testing different pieces of gear, including lightweight rain jackets, head lamps and walking poles.
The Kokoda Challenge will start at 7:00am on July 18 at Mudgeeraba.
The walkers – or runners, some of the other teams will be running – will head off to Nerang via Springbrook, the Numinbah Valley and Beechmont, passing through areas not far from the infamous Canungra jungle warfare training centre.
And there are good reasons why the organisers have picked 96km and set 39 hours as the completion cut-off; 96 km is the length of the actual Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and the 39-hour time limit is in honour of the 39th Battalion, the first Australian troops on the Kokoda Track.
(Source: Kokoda Youth Foundation)
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To enter the Kokoda Challenge, each team has to raise a minimum of $1600.
Teresa said they were very close to this target already but would like to raise a lot more if possible as the Kokoda Youth Program was a very worthwhile cause.
A fundraiser, “Brunch on the Verandah”, will be held from 9:00am on Sunday, May 17, at Ringsfield House in Nanango.
Cost is $20 per person, including cappucino, tea or juice, and there will be lucky door prizes to be won.
Kathy Steinhardt will also be on hand to take portrait photos in Ringsfield’s gardens.
Donations can also be made online at the “Courage Under Stress” team page on the Kokoda Challenge website
