Thousands participate in physically demanding challenge to raise funds
Dedicated participants from across Queensland gathered to compete in a tough endurance-based challenge last weekend to raise funds for a youth program.
Redlands Coast
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SIXTEEN talented athletes from Redlands laced up their shoes and competed in the 2019 Brisbane Kokoda Challenge last weekend.
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Young and old turned up for the challenge which involved tackling an endurance-based course in the D’Aguilar National Park.
2100 people from across Queensland participated in 15km, 30km and 48km courses.
Veteran and Founder of the Kokoda Youth Foundation Doug Henderson OAM was delighted to have completed the 30km challenge in under 10 hours.
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Mr Henderson, 73, decided to take part in the challenge after he received the news he had beaten cancer, after previously being told he had six months to live.
“It was an honour to be a competitor as opposed to being a part of the organising team, a great privilege to walk with our Kokoda Kids Team from all branches,” he said.
“Just seeing some of the amazing young kids out there, took my breath away.”
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The event was the first step for Mr Henderson who has planned to compete in each branch of the Kokoda Challenge, with the next to be held at the Gold Coast on July 20-21.
The Brisbane event sold out and had the highest school participation rate in its nine year history.
The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program which is a 14 month life-skills program for 15-17 year olds, also known as Kokoda Kids.
The Brisbane leg raised over $140,000 and the upcoming Gold Coast event will add to these funds.
To register for the Gold Coast event visit: www.kokodachallenge.com
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