Guide for the Kokoda Challenge Support Crew

Have you put your hand up as a Kokoda Challenge Support Crew?

The Kokoda Challenge support crew provides not only logistical and moral backing but also nourishment and care that can make or break the trek for the participants

A well-prepared support team, attuned to the needs and challenges of the experience, can be the difference between a formidable ordeal and a triumphant achievement.

So understanding the role and responsibilities of being part of the Kokoda Challenge support is the first step in contributing to a memorable and successful journey.

Let's take a look at what's involved.

Download the Official SUPPORT CREW HANDBOOK

In This Guide I will Cover:

What food can the Kokoda Challenge support crew provide?
What else should the support crew do besides providing food?
What are some important Kokoda Challenge rules?

A group of people in teal shirts stands together with trekking poles under an archway that says "The Kokoda Challenge." They appear to be part of an event or competition, likely with the kokoda challenge support crew backing their efforts. — Finish Line Triumph — All Thanks to Our Incredible Support Crew

Want more info on the Kokoda Challenge? Check out our companion posts:
Kokoda Challenge Food, Nutrition, Gear and Preparation
Conquering the Kokoda Challenge

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Providing Nourishment

The Kokoda Challenge support crew is invaluable for providing nourishment and morale boosts. For a mid-event break that lasts about half an hour to an hour, you'll want to offer meals that are high in energy, easy to digest, and quick to consume.

The goal is to replenish energy stores, address nutrient needs, and prepare participants for the second half of the challenge without causing stomach discomfort.

Here are some suggestions:

Warm Meals:

Pasta with a Light Sauce: Pasta is a great source of carbohydrates. Opting for a light sauce like marinara (as opposed to a heavy, creamy sauce) makes it easier on the stomach.
Rice and Quinoa Dishes: Served with lean meat like chicken or turkey and some vegetables. These are good for sustained energy release and are generally easy on the digestive system.

Protein and Carb Combos:

Chicken or Turkey Sandwiches: White meat is lean and provides essential protein without being too heavy.
Wraps with Hummus and Grilled Veggies: For a mix of carbs, fiber, and protein, which is also an excellent option for those who prefer plant-based nutrition.

Person in a red jacket and black beanie eating noodles from a bowl outdoors, providing much-needed energy to the Kokoda Challenge support crew. — Hot Soup is an Awesome Option.

Recovery Food:

Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes: They can be served mashed or as jackets. They’re rich in carbohydrates and packed with micronutrients.
Soup: Particularly broth-based soups that can provide warmth, hydration, and electrolytes. Chicken noodle or minestrone can be good choices.
Stew or Chili: Can be made with lean meats and lots of vegetables. It’s comforting and nourishing if time and stomachs allow.

Snacks and Sides:

Fruit Salad: Packed with vitamins, enzymes, and quick-energy sugars.
Yogurt and Granola: Offers carbohydrates and protein, with the benefit of probiotics for the gut.
Peanut Butter and Banana Slices on Bread: A good mix of fat, protein, and carbs.
Boiled Eggs: Easy to eat and high in protein.

You might also like to read our article on
Food, Gear, and Preparation for the Kokoda Challenge

Hydration Options:

Sports Drinks: Replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
Coconut Water: A natural alternative for electrolytes.
Herbal Tea or Hot Chocolate: Can be comforting in the cold weather.
Water: Always crucial for rehydration.

Quick Energy Boosters:

Honey or Maple Syrup Packets: Quick and natural sources of sugar.
Homemade Energy Balls: Oats, nuts, honey, and dried fruits can be combined to make these high-energy snacks.

A group of seven people wearing matching green shirts and holding trekking poles stand on a grassy hilltop with hills and a body of water in the background, embodying the spirit of the Kokoda Challenge support crews. — Spirits High – a few hours in.

Things to Remember:

Temperature for hot meals: Ensure that you can keep the food at a safe temperature. Food should be hot enough to avoid any food safety issues, but not too hot that it can't be eaten relatively quickly.
Digestibility: Stick to familiar foods that the participants know they can digest efficiently. The middle of a race is not the time to experiment with new or heavy foods.
Portion Sizes: Keep the portions reasonable – enough to refuel but not so large that they cause sluggishness.
Time for Digestion: You don’t want to send off participants with too much food in their stomachs. Smaller, nutrient-dense meals can provide the necessary energy without causing discomfort.
Preparation: Have meals primarily prepared beforehand, possibly just requiring a warm-up, so that the participants can eat straight away.
Sensitivity to individual needs: Be aware of any allergies or dietary restrictions of each team member.

Kokoda Support Beyond Nutrition

At the midpoint rest of the Kokoda Challenge, a support crew's presence is a game-changer.

Pro-Tip: It's a good idea for the Kokoda Challenge support crew to have a distinctive marker at their station, like a bright flag, so they can be found promptly among the many other groups. The team is tired by this stage, and they do not want to waste time trying to find you again after a trip to the loo.

This halfway point is the time for the support crew to provide not only food but also encouragement, first aid, foot care, and to monitor hydration. Their role is to ensure the team is set to tackle the second half of the event, feeling refreshed and motivated.

Lifting Spirits in the Trenches

When it comes to tackling the Kokoda Challenge, the right words and a positive attitude from the support crew can work wonders for weary hikers.

It's about those friendly faces and cheers that remind participants why they're pushing their limits. The Kokoda Challenge support crew's knack for encouragement is sometimes all it takes to turn a tough moment around and send hikers back on the trail with renewed energy.

Two people embrace tightly in an outdoor setting, surrounded by others. Both wear event T-shirts, and one person's back is visible, displaying graphics and text. They are part of the Kokoda Challenge support crew, providing encouragement and strength to all participants in this monumental event.

Foot Care

It’s important for the Kokoda challenge support crew to help participants to preemptively tape their feet and any areas susceptible to chafing to head off blisters and discomfort.

Also, ensuring each participant's support box is stocked with fresh socks for them to change into can be a game-changer in maintaining foot health and comfort throughout the challenge.

Hydration

Staying properly hydrated is an important aspect of participant care for the Kokoda Challenge support crew, who must balance vigilance for both dehydration and over-hydration.

Dehydration signs to watch for include fatigue, a dry mouth, infrequent urination with dark yellow urine, and dizziness.

The support crew should also keep an eye out for over-hydration, or hyponatremia, which presents symptoms like headaches, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, water intoxication due to dangerously low sodium levels.

Encourage your team to drink steadily and moderately, supplying a mix of water and electrolyte drinks to sustain ideal hydration levels throughout the challenge.

Final Steps for Kokoda Challenge Support Crews

As a Kokoda Challenge support crew member, your role is multifaceted and critical to the success and morale of your team. Going beyond merely meeting the basic needs, your efforts in preparation, comfort, and safety significantly contribute to the overall experience of the team.

From personalised care packages to strategic packing and adherence to event guidelines, each action you take enhances the journey. Here's a rundown of essential tasks to keep in mind as you support your team throughout the challenge:

You might also like to read our Main Article on the Kokoda Challenge

By knowing the individual preferences and needs of your team members, you can sneak in small surprises into their support boxes for a much-needed pick-me-up.

Rest is a necessity for the support crew to remain sharp and efficient and safety is also really important, especially with tired participants around. Drive at minimal speeds within parking areas, and coordinate closely with the Kokoda volunteers. Registers at checkpoints will confirm the one-vehicle rule is adhered to.

Support Crews MUST remove of all rubbish. There will be no rubbish bins provided along the event route.

The Kokoda Challenge support crew briefing at the start line is mandatory after your team departs. At least one person from the support crew will need to turn up. Not only will it keep you informed, but it will also ensure the safety and success of your team throughout the event.

Stick to the guidelines—providing aid outside of official checkpoints without explicit permission from event organisers can lead to your team's disqualification.

When setting up at the halfway checkpoint, practicality is key. Bring items that will maximize comfort for both you and your team, such as chairs, tables, and shelters. Be aware the event allows only one standard-sized vehicle per team without trailers or campervans, so pack wisely.