Gold Coast City is gearing up to host the Kokoda Challenge this weekend, known as one of the most gruelling physical trials in Australia.
Starting just a short five-minute drive from CBDRobina, in Mudgeeraba and following trails out into the beautiful Gold Coast City Hinterland, the Kokoda Challenge totals 96kms of rough terrain across two big days and nights with a 39-hour time limit for completion.
Mimicking the tough and difficult terrain of the 96km Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Kokoda Challenge’s mission is to honour Australia’s 39th Militia Battalion who successfully fought advancing Japanese troops along Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track during World War II.
Gold Coast City’s Kokoda Challenge has a time limit of 39 hours in honour of this brave 39th Militia, made up of untrained and untested Australian troops who were initially deployed in Papua New Guinea to help build an airstrip.
In addition to the extreme physical test of the Kokoda Challenge, participants are expected to fundraise in the months leading up to the event, with all money raised going towards the Kokoda Youth Program.
The Kokoda Youth Program was designed for 16-18 year old young people experiencing cross-roads in their lives and needing positive direction and guidance to reach their full potential. Originating in 2005, the Kokoda Youth Program has enriched the lives of hundreds of young people.
Featuring teams from Brisbane, Tweed and Gold Coast City, the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program runs across 12 months, made up of over 20 weeks of bushwalks and training sessions, inspiration from Kokoda campaign stories and the discovery of personal limits, learning and adventure.
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program teams can participate in the 30km Kokoda Challenge Junior event as well as the Gold Coast City’s 96km Kokoda Challenge. Young people can then earn the opportunity to participate in a trip to the actual Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea and gain rich cultural, emotional and physical insights.
Kokoda Youth Foundation Team Leader and teacher at Robina’s Australian Industry Trade College, Amy Thompson is up for the challenge, with her team having completed their final training on Wednesday for this weekend’s big event.
Together with three other leaders, Amy leads Tweed Heads team of 12 young people who have been fitness training every Wednesday and walk training every Sunday since early May in preparation for the 96km adventure. In addition, Amy has been doing boxing classes, weight training and a weekly stretching program to prepare for the Kokoda Challenge.
Having missed out on joining the Kokoda Youth Program earlier in 2014, Amy jumped at the chance to come on board with the Tweed Heads group when a leader withdrew. Inspired by the mental and physical challenge, Amy said the Kokoda Challenge was the perfect opportunity to test her limits and those of her young team.
“As a teacher, I love to encourage my students to challenge themselves mentally and physically. I want them to step out of their comfort zones and get them to face challenges they may come across.” Amy said
In addition to the gruelling training preparations, the students from Amy’s Tweed Heads team have also been fundraising to raise money for the Kokoda Youth Program. To donate to this worthy cause, visit Kokoda Youth Program
While Amy is leading her 12 young team members this weekend for the Tweed Heads group, she’ll also be cheering on two of her very own Australian Industry Trade College students James Risley and Joel Baxter, who are walking with the Gold Coast City team.
On behalf of the Robina Group, we wish Amy and her team and Robina’s AITC students the best of luck completing this weekend’s epic encounter that is Gold Coast City’s Kokoda Challenge.
For more information about the Kokoda Challenge Gold Coast City, visit their website, Facebook or Twitter
