Everything you need to know for successful
completion of the Kokoda Challenge
Toowoomba
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Overview
The When, What & Why
Preparation & Training
Equipment
Fundraising
Event Registration
What to do if you need a team member
Donation Payments
Rules
“I always wanted to try to 'do it '! Thought at 51 might
have left it too late but had a go any way. For me I never
thought it would have such an impact but honestly now
after actually ' DOING IT' wow I feel like I can do anything !!!!! Impact-life changing - nothing is going to stop
me now!!!!! This event not only changes the Kokoda Kids
it changes every one who competes!! Thank you !!” (Liz
Muenchow).
“I was in a team that only made it half way last year, which
was so devastating after our lead up, but that's made finishing this year so much more rewarding”. (Kyna Morice
2013 Competitor).
Contents
In partnership with Toowoomba South Rotary club The Kokoda Challenge Association is taking the youth program to Toowoomba and to support the program a 15km and 30km challenge will take place starting in May 2014.
Taking place in the beautiful Redwood and Jubilee Parks, the route starts at Webb Park at 7am where competitors descend off the escarpment along bridle
trails in Redwood Park down towards the Warrego Hwy. Testing competitors stamina passing through a checkpoint the steep climb begins up the picturesque Redwood Forest Walk to peak at Prince Henry Heights before plunging down the northern side into Jubilee Park. Another check point at the bottom
starts the leg burning return journey back up the escarpment to Webb Park. The 30km event participants will need to complete these challenging hills twice
pulling on all their courage and endurance in the Spirit of Kokoda.
Our aim in holding this event is to raise funds to support The Toowoomba branch of The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP). All the money raised
(which is tax deductible) goes directly into supporting youth aged from 15 – 18 years old and places them into a 14 month experiential program, including
travelling to PNG and completing the Kokoda trail along with re-building schools and villages along the track. On returning to Australia the young people in
the program then commit to 8 months of giving back to the Toowoomba community, through a planned community service campaign having a ripple effect
throughout the communities in which we live.
Overview
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4th of MAY 2014
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The course is 30km or 15km
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Checkpoints are staffed by Kokoda Challenge Officials
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There is a 9 hour time limit
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Minimum Fundraising quota of $100/person (30km) and $50/
person (15km) must be received by the KCA by the deadline
for teams to be eligible to start the challenge
You must start the challenge with a team and finish with at
least two team members or join with another team (this is
explained in the Rules section)
The course starts at 7am at Webb Park and finishes at Webb
Park after travelling through Redwood and Jubilee National
Parks.
Before participating in the event, you will need to complete a
Waiver Form (to be found under your competitors area on the
website)
The whole plan behind this event is to raise enough money to support The
Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP). All the money raised (which is tax
deductible) goes directly into supporting youth aged from 15 – 18 years old
and places them into a 14 month experiential program, including travelling
to PNG and completing the Kokoda trail along with re-building schools and
villages along the track. On return to Australia the young people in the program then commit to 6 months of giving back to the communities, in which
they live, through a planned community service campaign having a ripple
effect on communities in which we live.
It is also for you as an individual to set a goal with your mates and achieve
what most of us would think of as being unattainable This iconic event not
only changes the lives of the young people in our youth programs, it also
changes the lives of our competitors and the people that help them in
achieving this goal.
“Thanks to my Kokoda team and the association who gave me the chance to prove to myself that I am worth it”.
Jordan Stedwell 2013 Youth Program Participant
WHEN, WHAT & WHY
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General Training recommendations
Wear a good pair of hiking boots or running shoes. Make
sure they are well broken in before the event by wearing
them on practice walks. A spare pair is also recommended.
Start training walks three months prior to the event. Walk at
least one day a week . Plan a schedule with your team mates
and stick to it.
Each weekend you should slightly increase the distance and/
or time of your walks. All walks should include some hilly
routes will obviously take more time and energy than comparatively flat ones.
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Join other trekkers for challenge
banter, tips and tricks on the
challenge forum at:
http://kokodachallenge.com/
challenge-chat
Remember to drink sufficient water or sports drinks. Dehydration is a real risk and can result in death or serious injury.
Always take maps and make sure you know how to use
them, together with a torch, compass and/or a hand
held GPS.
As part of training, choose a weekend to practice
night
walking. Distances, terrain and direction are all very different in the dark and walking rough ground by torchlight is a
skill that needs to be practiced.
Two or three weekends before the event try to walk for a
longer distance this will help you to get accustomed to walking when stiff and tired. Allow muscles to relax during the
following two weeks.
Social Media
Follow all the action and keep up to date by ‘liking’
our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
Kokoda.Challenge.Association
Make sure to use the hashtag #ToowoombaKC so we,
your supporters and other teams can keep up to date
with all things Kokoda Challenge!
Cross training benefits and complements your walking training. Try swimming for all over body conditioning, cycling,
Pilates for core strength training and yoga as part of your
stretching routine.
Tired muscles start to stiffen during long rests. Shorter,
more frequent stops may be advisable during the event.
You are strongly advised to take out insurance to cover
injury or death and damage to personal property.
During Kokoda Challenge events,
trained medical staff are on hand if
you need them however during training you need to take responsibility for
your own wellbeing…
Preparation and Training
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CLOTHING
Quick Dry, Moisture Wicking Shirt It is important to avoid wearing cotton based clothing as cotton absorbs
moisture and holds onto it which can easily lead to heat loss or hypothermia in cool or windy conditions. The temperature can easily drop to
single figures during the night in the Hinterland during July. There is an
old saying in the outdoor industry "Cotton Kills". A point to note: Women have become hypothermic from wearing a cotton based crop top
sports bra even though they had all the correct moisture wicking layers
on top.
Base Layer Clothing / Underwear This technical clothing will pull perspiration away from your body and
therefore reduces chafing and chills from sweating. Try compression
garments like Skins which are highly recommended or thermal clothing
(e.g. A Merino wool long sleeve top and long pants) which are light,
warm and don't weigh much.
Jackets A lightweight, waterproof, windproof jacket (not water-resistant or
spray-jacket), with a hood is an essential item you should have in your
pack at all times, especially during the night. Not only will it keep you
dry but if you need to stop between check points they are great to
quickly slip on to protect you from the wind chill.
Shorts/Trousers Quick dry shorts/trousers will help to stop chafing. Also consider lightweight waterproof pants with ankle side zips. With waterproof pants it
is very important to pre-empt any foul weather. In most cases by the
time you put on a pair of waterproof over-pants, it is often too late and
you are already wet.
Warm Clothing -
Make sure to Log into your
Competitors Area on the website.
Go to www.kokodachallenge.com and in the top right
hand corner there is a ‘Login’ button.
In your competitors Area you will find all the information
you need to help you successfully complete the
challenge.
Be prepared, the nights can be freezing! Your support crew needs to be
aware of this as well. They should be ready with multiple changes of
clothes for you. A warm fleece or jacket and pants are important to
keep you and your muscles warm when you stop at the major checkpoints.
ACCESSORIES
Comfortable daypack with water bladder
Hiking Poles
Lightweight Trek Towel
Map
Water-tight Dry Bags
High energy Snack
Equipment
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CONGRATULATIONS ON SUPPORTING A CHARITY AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY!
You will find that with a bit of creativity and confidence, rallying support for your team is rewarding and simpler than you think
– the top fundraising teams for the last four years have all said that raising money is ‘as simple as asking’.
“When we entered the Kokoda Challenge we simply called business contacts, friends and family, explained the cause and they
were more than happy to make a donation," Team leader, Wally from 2010 top fundraiser, Gordon Green Machine.
The Kokoda Challenge Association is a registered charity and all donations are fully tax deductable. You can request a receipt
book to get your fundraising started - just email Jan on [email protected] with how many books you require and a
postal address.
MINIMUM AMOUNTS TO BE FUNDRAISED
All teams are required to raise a minimum fundraising amount by the 14th of April for all teams
For general public teams this amount is $100(30km) or $50 (15km) per person (in addition to the registration fee).
Fundraising Incentives — we will have fundraising incentives along the way for all our Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge
Teams
SOME TIPS FOR FUNDRAISING
In your ‘Competitor’s Area’ we have provided you with some samples of letters and an email that you can tailor to suit your
requirements. In addition you will find fundraising posters that you can hang at your workplace, gym or sporting venue.
Our main tip would be to share your ideas with us and your fellow competitors. Share them on our Facebook page, share
them on your Facebook page, share them on Twitter, and use hashtag #ToowoombaKC so that we can follow what you are
doing. Follow our Facebook page and keep up to date with what is happening.
You may come up with an amazing idea that another team can implement - and your idea may mean the difference of an extra Kokoda Kid being invited to join the program next year and changing the lives of that young person and their community in
the years to come.
Fundraising
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MEDIA
Media is a great way to get the word out about your fundraising efforts. Your local newspaper, radio, or even local TV can
help promote your team or events and a quick call may be the start of something big. Identify the local media in your area
initially and then make yourself a list of the important facts about the event and about your team. If you need help with content, please contact the Kokoda Challenge offices on 07 5539 4141. If you manage to get something published, please send it
through to us as we would love to see it and share it.
There are a lot of easy (and not so easy) fundraising ideas and a brainstorming session with your teammates is a great way to come up with something interesting and unique. Remember Fundraising is
about FUN—raising, make sure whatever you decide to do have Fun with it and help us spread the
word of the great work our Youth Program accomplishes.
EMAIL SIGNATURE BLURB
Here is a blurb that you could use in your email accounts as a signature or on any social media platform (make sure to include which distance you are doing and your unique URL – I have bolded both these parts as they will need to be changed to
suit the individual teams):
On Saturday May 3rd I will be participating in the inaugural 2014 Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge - which will see me trek/
run/walk 15km or 30km starting at Web Park, taking on the steep climb through Redwood before heading into Jubilee National Park. All of my fundraising goes directly to the Toowoomba branch of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program. Please
click here if you would like to donate to this amazing cause and help me to achieve my fundraising goals. (you can find your
personal donation URL by searching for your on the home page www.kokodachallenge.com) Thank you for your support!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media will be a crucial part of your fundraising
efforts. We supply you with a banner (in your Competitors Area) that you can upload to your personal
Facebook page and it may also be something that you
could share with your workplace Facebook page if they
decide to get behind you. We have set up
a Pinterest account with Fundraising ideas and we suggest opening up your own Facebook page for your
Team so that your followers can support you.
TEAM PAGE
Your Team Page is a great place
to share your fundraising goals.
Fundraising
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Registration will be available to all competitors on Sunday morning at 5.30am
and closes at 6.30am at Webb Park
PLEASE KNOW YOUR TEAM NUMBER
Minimum Fundraising Not paid up = no start
Registration kit containing race bibs with team number in series a,b,c,d and
event t-shirt.
On Bibs must be worn and clearly displayed.
All 4 team members must report in to the registration area.
Minimum Fundraising Not paid up = no start
Once registered stay together as a group. At 6.40am you will be called to the
starting area where the starting ceremony will take place.
Event Registration
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The online donation facility is the best way to have friends and family make contributions to your team's tally using their credit card. However, it is understandable that as your team comes up with creative fundraising initiatives you will no doubt
have cash to deposit.
You can make a payment direct to the Kokoda Challenge Association Public Fund at any NAB branch or perform an electronic
transfer from your account by using the bank details below.
Once you make an EFT or branch payment please send an email to [email protected] with details of the amount and
your team name and number. The amount will credited to the donation tally on your team profile and a receipt will be issued
in approximately 2-3 working days.
Bank: NAB
Account Name: KOKODA CHALLENGE ASSOCIATION PUBLIC FUND
BSB: 084-917
Account Number: 79 075 4746
Reference: Team Name or Number & your SURNAME
If you have any further questions regarding team payments, please contact one of our staff in the office on (07) 5539 4141.
Donation Payments
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To enter the Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge you must observe the
If for any reason you have to leave the event urgently, you must call
following rules:
the emergency number as soon as possible.
1. All team members must be aged 18 or above unless approved by
the organiser and must have a parent or guardian sign the appropriate
8. There must be a minimum of two members of a team to continue
Acknowledgement, Waiver and Release Form. School ages 15km
on the track. If only one team member remains after a withdrawal,
30km???
they must accompany another team between CPs. This is to ensure
that all walkers’ travel in groups of at least two people. This does not
2. At the start of the event, each team must have four the registered
mean that team members join the other team; each team will retain
number of members per category. High school teams must have 4
their identity and team number throughout the event.
team members and one adult supervisor. Awards – only in category
nominated in at time of registrations closing. No changes after this
date.
10. A team’s finishing time will be recorded as the last member of the
team reports to officials at the
3. Teams must check in by 6.30am on the morning of the event.
Finish. This is a team event and no individual time(s) will be recorded.
The Challenge will commence at 7:00am
12. Identification bibs must be worn at all times during the event.
4. There are six checkpoints (CPs) – 30klm track and four CP’s –
15klm along the trek including the finish. All team members must stay
13. Teams must notify the organiser of any change of team members
together between CPs and must check out together at each CP. CP
in writing via email. No substitutions will be allowed once the event is
staff will not check in or check out teams without all members unac-
in progress. Any team found to be substituting walkers will be dis-
counted for.
qualified.
5. Depending on your assessment of the situation, in the event of an
14. If, in the opinion of medical personal, a team member is unable to
injury or emergency, the following procedures are recommended; a)
continue for medical reasons, then the organisers reserve the right to
Contact the Command Centre on the emergency phone number given
withdraw that member from the event.
to you and inform them of the situation. This will be a dedicated phone
for emergencies only. b) Depending on the situation make your way to
the nearest checkpoint, which will have first aid and communication
available. c) Ring 000 and when asked your name also state “we are
participating in the Toowoomba Kokoda Challenge”. d) Ring 112 and
treat the same as a 000 call.
6. Under no circumstances are individuals to be left unattended. If a
team member becomes seriously injured and cannot be moved, one
person must stay with him/her while others seek help.
7. If you want to withdraw during the event, you must first report to the
nearest CP and sign out. Remaining team members cannot continue
until the withdrawal of the team member has been reported.
Rules
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