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 BREAKING NEWS: Paralympian Kurt Fearnley conquers the Kokoda Track 

BREAKING NEWS: Paralympian Kurt Fearnley conquers the Kokoda Track

18 Nov, 2009 04:13 PM
Paralympian Kurt Fearnley's "superhuman'" effort to crawl Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track is complete, ending with an emotional and weary celebration at Owers Corner, the southern end of the track.

Fearnley, 28, finished his 10-day trek just a little after 9am PNG time (10am AEDT) today.

Fearnley wrote on his blog a little after 11am: "we made it. sitting at owers corner enjoying a couple of beers. mum and dad are here. amazing experience. i’m so happy we’re here."

A few minutes later he wrote: "all the aches are gone. at least for an hour or so."

Fearnley said there were moments he thought about quitting along the 96km track through mud and rugged terrain.

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

In emotional scenes at the finish, Fearnley was surprised by his mother and father Jacqueline and Glenn, who had travelled from their home of Carcoar in central NSW, to share a few tears and couple of bottles of champagne with their youngest son.

"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 said it was the most amazing effort he'd ever seen in his time trekking.

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

Fearnley, the four-time New York wheelchair marathon winner, had to drag himself on his hands along the famous track but had support from 15 family members plus his team of porters and guides.

Fearnley left on November 8 for the 10-day challenge of dragging himself on his hands over 96km of Papua New Guinea's infamous Kokoda Track.

The 28-year-old athlete, supported by 15 family members plus his Kokoda Spirit trek team of porters and guides, arrived at Owers Corner as expected this morning.

Fearnley's motivation for Movember is "To change the face of Men's Health, while taking on the New York Marathon and crawling the Kokoda Trek with the support of 15 family and friends."

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
congratulations on a superhuman effort. Well done to Kurt and his team.
Posted by nicg, 18/11/2009 11:12:15 AM, on The Herald
Well Done Kurt! You are a legend
Posted by Money Man, 18/11/2009 11:25:24 AM, on The Herald
Congratulations Kurt, this a wonderful inspiration to all people. It is amazing how you have overcome the difficulties you have had to face.
Posted by Jimbob, 18/11/2009 12:12:46 PM, on The Herald
That's amazing! Well done, Kurt! I don't think I could manage the Kokoda track and I have two legs!
Posted by Maitlander, 18/11/2009 12:38:02 PM, on The Herald
Congratulations Kurt, no words can describe what you have achieved, you are an absolute legend.
Posted by Dave Woolnough, 18/11/2009 1:08:35 PM, on The Herald
they should re-name it the Fearnley Track !! oh hang on - it's taken
Posted by Perspective, 18/11/2009 1:12:03 PM, on The Herald
big deal ..get something constructive to do. what a monumental waste of time.
Posted by catlicker, 18/11/2009 1:13:55 PM, on The Herald
Kurt, Congratulations. You are an inspiration to all of us. "Catlicker", You wouldnt know the meaning of determination and guts.!
Posted by belle, 18/11/2009 1:23:58 PM, on The Herald
You have shown whatan amazing fortitude a disabled person can achieve, we all knew you had nothing to prove, and as figurehead to all others who have similar body variations to the norm ,we all salute you.
Posted by Polio Chasa, 18/11/2009 1:24:00 PM, on The Herald
Congratulations Kurt, well done mate. A good news story about someone that has done great and challenging things in his life. & Bollocks to Catlicker, you are the one that needs to do something constructive.
Posted by thinkitthrough, 18/11/2009 1:30:47 PM, on The Herald
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Kurt Fearnley. Picture supplied by Movember
Kurt Fearnley. Picture supplied by Movember
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18 November, 2009

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