THE Kokoda Challenge, they say, is about courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice. Words written on the finish line posts. But go the distance and you’ll find yourself another.
About 11.30am last Saturday, in the sixth wave, SSKB-Chafing the Dream leaves Numinbah Valley for “army land”. For three months, Bundall office workers Monique, Ben and Upu have trained in hinterland hills. Smiles hide their anxiety.
The three first-timers must complete 48km and reach the Nerang velodrome within 34 hours. Their support crews will be at one of seven checkpoints – Little Clagiraba Reserve by 6pm.
Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates says: “I was at the first meeting with (founder) Doug Henderson and (then MP) Margaret May about 17 years ago, and present for 13 years from the start. It’s getting bigger and bigger. We have 300 school teams. It’s about mateship and not leaving anyone behind.”
Driving east from the historic valley hall, a traffic jam as the first wave suddenly appear from the forest to cross the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road. Their knapsacks carry protein bars, a hydration bladder and toilet paper. They are wearing head torches.
On the ridges, Chafing the Dream encounter a wind blast. They dodge fallen tree branches.
As the light fades, an eerie sound above, the whistling of overhead electricity towers.
Below them in the valley the lights of the reserve where support crews set up camp.
Volunteers outside the rural fire brigade shelter are directing some parents to their exhausted children to take them home. A text to us explains Upu has a serious leg injury.
A younger woman in pain is helped down a steep hill. She is assessed for head trauma.
An experienced 96km female Kokoda veteran at the campsite puts it all in perspective.
The next stage will include the steep Clagiraba hill, and the final 18km to Nerang is the toughest mental challenge of the course. If you are injured, now is the time to pull out.
This crew share around the bandages and humour. “We are at the portaloo and not vomiting, standing up. We should be cheering,” the woman’s mate says.
Hobbling down the steep slope around 9pm, Monique, Ben and Upu get hugs and hot soup. Water packs resupplied, they leave for the forest. Their support crew heads to Nerang.
At the Velodrome, volunteers share the microphone, welcoming teams and talking about World War Two history and how Kokoda now helps troubled teens.
Hours tick by on the digital trackside clock. Temperature drops to 12 degrees. Is it The Eagles’ Hotel California on the speakers, or was that Creedence playing?
Just before 5pm it seems we are more chance of seeing daylight than Chafing the Dream. Have they pulled out? Who is helping them and Upu?
The cheering continues, as a father and his teenage daughter arrive. She turns, hugs him, bursts into tears and hides her face in his barrel chest. These two have had some night.
Looking west up a hill, still darkness until a light flickers, the head lamp on a short young woman wearing a beanie. Tall bloke behind her and a determined young mother.
The arrival of Team Chafing the Dream is announced. Eighteen hours and 83,450 steps.
“Bonded for life,” Monique later writes on Facebook in a thank you to Ben and Upu.
What is the other word – you know, beyond courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice?
Well, it’s patience, waiting for mates, ensuring you both get home to family. Not the first but safe. Together. Kokoda owns it, from all the way back, tucked deep, in its kit bag.
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