The Kokoda Challenge
50KM KOKODA CHALLENGE – WELL DONE TEAM SJPC!
Whilst the east coast was drenched in rain on Saturday, a team of 4 students and myself set off on foot at 7.30am for what was to be a very long day that did not see us return until 11pm that night.
We were attempting the Brisbane Kokoda Challenge, held on a challenging course through the hills on the western outskirts of Brisbane.
Our training was limited but it was tough and the group had a mindset to accept and embrace steep difficult terrain, mud and rain, the dark and physical discomfort. Of the 457 participants, 10% were unable finish.
The start was preceded by the Last Post and Reveille to remember the those who fell in WWII on The Kokoda Track. At the starting blast, we were sent off to the haunting sounds of bag pipes in misty conditions. The first few legs had us in a lot of foot traffic as teams overtook each other, leap frogged and settled into their own pace and rhythm. Our team was made of Ty Stephenson and Flynn Oates from Year 12, Jasper Harris and Parker Swan from Year 8 and myself as the compulsory adult. During our 3 hour training hikes our group was well matched in speed. However, this was a different beast. Our group accordioned with differences in speed, changing physical states and energy levels. Everyone (except Flynn – hardened on forced marches in the Airforce cadets) spent time at the back, some more than others, but they never stopped. In honour of the Kokoda spirit, no one was left behind, we regrouped at junctions and entered each checkpoint as a team.
Sally Poidevin made up the support crew (a huge thanks!), meeting us with the school bus at the 14km mark with a morning tea of carbs. She joined us for 9 of the toughest kilometres and loved it. Looking across one gully, I thought there was a landslide scar it was so steep, only to realise it was the road we were about to head up!
Darkness fell at about the 30km mark just as light rain settled in. This turned steep hills that were hard enough in the dry, into muddy slippery slopes where just getting a foot hold was a test. Some of our team hit ‘the wall’ and were down to … “Just keep moving one small step at a time … Aim for the next erosion bump ... Rest for 20 seconds … Aim for the tree up there ... Stop for 10 seconds …”. I was super proud that never once did I hear any negative talk about giving up or complaints.
At the last checkpoint we were told it was only 8 more kilometres. Everyone was in good spirits despite some very sore bodies. I love the adage ‘pain is inevitable, suffering is optional’ and our students embodied this with no one complaining, accepting the pain as part of what it takes to make such an achievement. Oh, and they lied. It was 10km to go and that extra 2km seemed a loooong way. Our aim was to get everyone through. 15 hours and 34 minutes after starting, we crossed the finish line as a complete team.
Congratulations to all 4 boys for committing, sticking to a goal, maintaining such a positive mindset, for patience waiting when others struggled and for your company. As the biggest thing the students had ever done, it redefined what is possible and raised the question, what is possible with a resilient mindset and right attitude? I hope it inspires others and we can get several teams together in 2025 to give it a crack.
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Brad Poidevin
School Counsellor