A gruelling charity event that honours the legacy of the Australian Diggers and last year raised more than $380,000 for local youth programs is returning on the ANZAC Day weekend in 2023.
The Kokoda Challenge, which commemorates those who fought in the Kokoda Campaign during 1942, will again take place around Kenilworth, on Saturday, April 22.
Last year, more than 1800 participants hiked distances of up to 48km, raising money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s mentoring programs.
Teams of between two and five people traverse Imbil State Forest from Kenilworth over either an 18km, 30km or 48km course with more than 1700m of elevation.
“In 2022, we commemorated the 80th anniversary of the 1942 Kokoda Campaign, which was a momentous occasion for us,” chief executive officer Johllene Elson said.
“It is our mission to keep the legacy of our Kokoda Diggers alive, and the Kokoda Challenge is a powerful way for teams to learn about the history of the campaign and the sacrifices made by our soldiers.”
Now in its second year, the event is set to attract even more teams in 2023 in support of the foundation’s mission to change the lives of local youth through mentoring programs.
Related story: Students smash record in 48km Kokoda Challenge
“Building on the success of last year’s Kokoda Challenge, we will be hosting a digital detox program in Kenilworth this July,” youth program manager Chris Emert said.
“This fully funded, nine-day adventure camp will combine challenging outdoor activities with mindfulness techniques such as breathing and meditation, helping children understand the impact of technology on their mental health and develop skills to manage their relationship with devices.”
Last year’s 48km trail included crossing a knee-high creek, scaling mountains with peaks of 400m and a 20-hour time limit to reach the finish line. The final team completed the challenge in 19 hours 30 minutes, starting at 7am on the Saturday and finishing at 2.30am on the Sunday morning – without sleeping.
In the lead-up to the event, teams participate in fundraising activities to support the Kokoda Youth Foundation’s mentoring programs, which have helped more than 650 young people across Australia since 2004.
The event will begin with a commemorative service to honour Kokoda veterans and other men and women in service.
Teams are encouraged to register here soon as the event is filling up quickly. Registrations close on Friday, March 25, unless sold out prior.
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