The Kokoda Challenge is a 96km race against the clock. Team Vodka must complete the race together within 39  hours. They will trek with other four member teams through the Gold Coast hinterlands to raise money for the Kokoda Kids Program.

Trip Reports

Team Vodka has competed in the Kokoda Challenge 2007 race. See how they went:

• Photo gallery on Picasa.

More to come. Watch this space!

Sponsorship

Donations raised: $840

Team Vodka recognises and thanks the following persons who have supported them by contributing towards the Kokoda Kids program. The Team Vodka sponsors honour roll (in alphabetical order):

Where does the money raised go?

The proceeds of funds raised through the Kokoda Challenge finances the cost of the Kokoda Kids Program, which includes training and bush camps for the Kokoda Kids, the Far North Queensland based Kokoda adventure and the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. For more information please visit: http://www.kokodachallenge.com/donations-fundraising

Who is Team Vodka?

Team Vodka consists of (in alphabetical order): Mel Horne, Nicole Keegan, Dennis Mellican and Jenesse Valentine.

Their support crew are (in alphabetical order): John Lodewyk and Matt Moores. Unfortunately we lost Monica Deacon only 48 hours before due to a family death. Our condolences go out to you and your family Mons! John took up the challenge to assist and keep Matt company.

Why Team Vodka?

One summer night at Jenesse's party on the 37th floor of the tallest building in Brisbane. Nicole, Dennis, Jenesse and Matt went on an alcohol run. Jenesse was called back to the party and the three merrily went about and fetched the Vodka and mixers.

Upon their return they found themselves locked out of the building. All attempts to contact Jenesse (the key master) and others in the party failed. Mel Rose was collapsed in the bathroom at the time.

The three had no choice but to climb the stairs, all 37 flights. There was no air conditioning in the stairwell which made the going tougher. They all resorted to swigging the Vodka bottle at certain intervals to kill the pain. Despite the Vodka they managed to get to the 37th floor.

Their penance for this behaviour is to complete the Kokoda Challenge.

Read more: The Unexpected Climb

Training:

In preparation for the gruelling trek, Team Vodka has been jogging 8 to 12kms per day for 4 days a week after work and on weekends head to the great outdoors to get some more time on the feet.

They entered the 25km Mini Kokoda race through the Nerang State Forest and came 15th out of a field of 37 teams. They completed the race in 4hr 18m 48s. A couple weeks before they did a practice run on the same course but completed this in 5hrs.

See Urban Crag's Team Vodka's training diary for a full list of walks they have done in their lead up to the Kokoda Challenge. Also read their trip reports on their more intense Vodka training sessions.