The Kokoda Challenge returns to Lake Macquarie in 2024 for another unforgettable adventure! Setting off in the hills of Cooranbong, teams can choose to traverse the 18, 30 or 48-kilometre course that winds through the breathtaking landscapes of Olney State Forest and Watagans National Park. This exhilarating course features steep inclines, undulating terrain, refreshing creeks, and pays tribute to the sacrifices of the Diggers who fought in the 1942 Kokoda Campaign. While most teams choose to hike the courses, Kokoda Challenge events also attract many trail runners, who navigate the course with a strategic mix of hiking the steep elevations, and trail running down the mountains and flat sections of the tracks. Some will run the entire way and compete for the illustrious winners’ medals and school cups each named in honour of Kokoda Veterans. The funds raised support Kokoda Youth Foundation programs to help kids in the local community. The Kokoda Youth Programs provide disadvantaged and disengaged youth with the tools to realise their full potential by instilling the values of the Kokoda Spirit; Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice. Past participants have called this event “physically and emotionally exhausting, and yet the most incredible and inspiring thing ever completed.” Each step taken becomes a testament to one's inner strength and resilience, making this event a truly transformative and life-changing experience.