NDSHS Kokoda Challenge

The Kokoda Challenge was a tough one this year, with wind, the cold and the rain making the 96km steep course more challenging than previous years.

NDSHS Kokoda Challenge.

The Kokoda Challenge was a tough one this year, with wind, the cold and the rain making the 96km steep course more challenging than previous years.

The Noosa District State High School team of Year 12 students, Jorn Gilbert-Hall, Zac McConnell, Taine Fell, and Duke of Edinburgh teacher Dean McMaster, managed to complete the course in 22 hours and 43 seconds, which placed them 3rd in the school team category.

The boys spent 100 hours training over 6 months in the lead up to the event.

The Kokoda Challenge is a four person team event inspired by the efforts of the Australian diggers who fought on the Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea.

The Kokoda Challenge is an event designed to test and instil four Kokoda principles - mateship, courage, sacrifice and endurance.

The event also serves as a means by which teams raise money for the Kokoda Foundation Charity, that helps disadvantaged youth.

The 96km course set in the Gold Coast Hinterland is steep and rugged and the soaking rain that fell during the night did not make the task any easier.

The steep tracks were turned into muddy slippery slides slowing team progress considerably.

The time it took for the NDSHS team to complete the 96 kilometre trek was 20 minutes faster than last year's team, despite the difficult conditions.

The NDSHS team was placed 3rd out of all the school teams and about 25th from the 350+ adult teams.

Mr McMaster and his team wish to thank their support crew of teacher aide Daren Styles and Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh students Sam Thompson, Luke Birch and Tyler Quigley who all endured some challenging conditions to ensure the team competitors were fed and resupplied at the four major check points.

The team are also very grateful for the support of their major sponsors Kidzspace and the Noosa Rotary Club who ensured the students were able to compete with good race equipment.

"Well done to everyone involved. When the soreness has gone, the toe nails have grown back and the blisters (have) healed, you will have a lasting memory of completing something truly challenging," Mr McMaster said.