AUSXIP MaryD's Blog - Inspiration on the Kokoda Trail

To many Aussies the words "The Kokoda Trail" is easily recognisable as a place of inspiration, survival against the odds, bravery and mateship. To those that don't know what the Kokoda Trail signifies...here is a brief condensed version:

During WW2, Australia was on the verge of being invaded by the Japanese. We had been bombed in Darwin, there were midget subs in Sydney (MIDGET SUBS IN SYDNEY!) and our armies were spread all over the place leaving the Australian mainland pretty much unprotected. The Japanese were making inroads into Papua New Guinea until they came across the Aussies. This story just inspires me and horrifies me at the same time at what those young men had to put up with. The Aussies were outnumbered by the 20,000 Japanese but they fought back through the stinking mud, the rain, the starvation, the ammunition getting low or not enough and much more. Read about it here Those men saved Australia from invasion. They beat the Japanese. The picture that I've posted is a world famous photo of a PNG native nicknamed The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who put their lives in danger to help the Aussie soldiers. They were truly angels.

Australians are making the trek to the Kokoda Trail to test their mettle; it's truly a gruelling trek and many have died attempting it. It's not easy, it's not a track even though it's called that. Our current Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has made the journey as have many others.

The reason I'm blogging about this is because of this article in today's paper. Wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley completed the trek where many able bodied men and women haven't been able to. It's not a sign of weakness; I'm impressed by anyone who attempts to do it. Kurt's story is inspirational and amazing!

Champion wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley has completed his arduous crawl along the 96-kilometre long Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

Fearnley climbed the last steep hill into Owers Corner at the southern end of the Kokoda Track this morning on his hands and knees.

Fearnley used specially-made shin pads and padded gloves to help him get across the rugged terrain.

A group of family and friends made the trip with him.

His latest conquest comes less than three weeks after he won his fourth New York Marathon.

Fearnley says there were moments he thought about quitting along the muddy and rugged terrain.

"Mate, I just was hurting. It was the toughest thing I've ever done," he said.

Fearnley was surprised by his mother and father Jacqueline and Glenn, who travelled from their home at Carcoar in central NSW to be at the finish line.

"It's been a very big day and we're glad it's over," his mother said.

Track veteran and Kokoda Spirit team leader Wayne Weatherall says it is the most amazing effort he has ever seen in his time trekking.

"To call him a superhero or superhuman is not too far from the truth," he said.

Fearnley says he will now take a break to let his battered body recover.

Learn to crawl

Unable to use his wheelchair on the trek, Fearnley had to teach himself to crawl again, like he did in the bush around his childhood home.

The Paralympic gold medallist spent 12 months working with a bootmaker to design the custom-made shin pads and wrist guards used on the trek.

Two brothers, four cousins and eight friends made the trek with the 28-year-old.

Fearnley undertook the challenge to raise awareness for men's health and trained for the trek for over 12 months.

Three weeks before his victory in New York, Fearnley also won the Chicago Marathon.

Fearnley was not expected to live for more than a week when he was born.

He grew up in Carcoar, near Bathurst, the youngest of five children.