Hikers tackle Kokoda Trail

Hikers tackle Kokoda challenge
From: AAP From correspondents in Port Moresby
August 27, 2005

THE speed hikers are under way in a gruelling challenge race to be the first person to traverse Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track on foot in less than 24 hours.

Four Australians, a New Zealander and 21 PNG nationals started from the village of Kokoda at midday today, each aiming to be the first across the Owen Stanley Range to finish before midday tomorrow.
A local favourite to win is Osborne Bogajiwai who has walked the track as a guide 270 times and is keen to win back his title of fastest track walker won in 1986 when he did it in 28 hours and 14 minutes.

Last year, Australian Brian Freeman set a new record of 24 hours and 59 minutes on his 40th birthday, sparking today's challenge race to do the track in under 24 hours.

The 96km trail is a gruelling trek over high jungle-clad ridges where Australian soldiers conducted a tough fighting withdrawal before the tables turned and they pursued retreating Japanese back to the north coast.

The organisers of today's Rusty's Super Kokoda 24-hour Challenge hope it will become an annual event.


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Early in today's race, residents of one village stopped competitors passing through in a bid to win compensation from organisers but police ordered them to desist and the race went on after a slight delay.
The trail from Kokoda to Owers Corner just north of Port Moresby usually takes more than a week and has become popular with Australian adventure trekkers keen to get a taste of what World War II diggers on the track endured.

Bogajiwai, now 43, said he was 19 when he set his record and the arduous walk would tell if his age would count against him.

But he said he was still fit and determined to win his record back and claim victory for a PNG national to restore local pride.

"It will be very, very painful but that's OK. We know the terrain and the rugged and steep bits."

The Australians and New Zealander in the race have teamed up as the "Anzacs" and expect the night-time hiking by headlamp to be a big challenge after so many hours on the go.

The race's oldest competitor, 51-year-old Charles Chambers of Kyneton in Victoria, hopes his endurance race experience will stand him in good stead.

He competes in many cross-country events and is current World Masters Half-Marathon champion but knows his first Kokoda walk will be hard and strenuous.

"There's no doubt about it, it will hurt, but I enjoy setting a challenge and achieving it. Definitely the locals have got the knowledge and we will find it difficult during the night.

"It's all about pacing yourself, it's so easy to go hard and run out of energy."

Prize money of 5000 kina ($2255) is up for the winner with another 5000 kina for beating the 24-hour mark.