The Kokoda Challenge, an annual charity event that honours the legacy of the Australian Diggers who fought in the Kokoda Campaign during 1942, is returning to Brookfield for its 14th year on Saturday June 1st, 2024. Last year, the sellout event saw participants hike 18km, 30km or 48km, raising over $360,000 for local youth programs. This year, the event sold out again with participants signing up to a waitlist in hopes of securing a spot.
Teams of 2-5 people will traverse through D’Aguilar National Park from Brookfield, some choosing to trail run the course of up to 48 kilometres that consists of over 1,900 metres of elevation. Organised by local charity, Kokoda Youth Foundation, teams will take on the trails in support of its mission to change the lives of local youth through mentoring programs.
In the lead-up to the event, teams participate in fundraising activities to support the foundation's mentoring programs, which have helped hundreds of young people across Australia since 2004. One of these programs, a Digital Detox camp for 12-14 year-olds, will be held in Laidley later this year. "This fully-funded, 8-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.” said Chris Emert, manager of the youth program.
Kokoda Youth Foundation Founder and Vietnam Veteran, Doug Henderson said the Kokoda Youth Programs are about providing disadvantaged and disengaged youth with the appropriate tools to realise their full potential by instilling the values of the Kokoda Spirit; Courage, Endurance, Mateship, Sacrifice.
On their journey through the Brisbane Kokoda Challenge course, participants will push their physical and mental limits, and uncover the extraordinary bravery that our diggers displayed on the real Kokoda Track in 1942.
The Kokoda Challenge has been described by participants as one of the hardest things they've ever done. The course includes crossing creeks, scaling mountains with peaks of 400 meters, and a 20-hour time limit to reach the finish line. In 2023, the final team completed the challenge in 18 hours, starting at 7:30am on Saturday and finishing at 1:50am on Sunday morning without sleeping. Hikers battle relentless hills and walk through the pitch-black night all to support the Kokoda Youth Foundation on their mission to change the lives of kids in our community.
The event will begin with a commemorative service to honour Kokoda veterans and other men and women in service. Spectators are encouraged to attend the memorial service that will be held at the Kokoda Challenge start line, and to see the teams off on their journey.
Kokoda Challenge Brisbane
Event date: Saturday 1st of June, 2024
Distances: 18km, 30km and 48km
Start time: from 7:30 am
Location: Brookfield, D’Aguilar National Park
For more information and to register your team in the Kokoda Challenge, visit: kokodachallenge.com
Contact details:
For more media information, please contact:
Amy Puckeridge
Event Marketing Officer
(07) 5539 4141
