NOT many people would walk 96km with three broken toes, but Lauren Crocker is adamant the pain of dropping out lasts longer than the pain of persevering to the finish line.
The local woman completed the 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge 11 years after she had to drop out of the gruelling team event in 2013 as a ‘Kokoda Kid’.
She and her mum Cathy Hanser, a local nurse, formed part of team ‘The Avengers Initiative’ and crossed the finish line in 32 hours and 11 minutes.
The challenge, widely known as Australia’s toughest team endurance event, raises money to change the lives of young Australians through the Kokoda Youth Foundation.
When Lauren attempted the Kokoda Challenge as a 16-year-old ‘Kokoda Kid’ on the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program and walked the Kokoda Track in PNG, it left a lasting impact.
Going back to complete the full 96km 11 years later was no walk in the park but with her mum by her side, a young family of her own and a great support crew she got it done.
“The pain of dropping out lasts longer than the pain of doing the 96km,” she said.
As if the 96km challenge isn’t tough enough, Lauren broke three toes in the weeks before the event and managed potentially life-threatening complications from her type 1 diabetes on the track.
“My diabetes was bad from 18km, and I actually started going into DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis – which is a very dangerous complication of diabetes which isn’t treated is fatal,” she said.
“I looked at mum and said, ‘I have to finish this’.”
Cathy said it was a profound experience.
“I actually felt quite emotional walking towards the finish line and I’m not usually an emotional person. I was trying to hold back tears,” she said.
“Lauren should write a book because a lot of people with type 1 diabetes don’t think they can achieve this sort of exercise, but you can with the right support and the knowledge, and she’s very stubborn.”
At time of print, The Avengers Initiative was ranked 3 out of 1708 teams for fundraising having raised $8542, with Lauren eyeing off the prize for top fundraisers to win a trip to walk the Kokoda Challenge in PNG.
To donate, visit https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/TheAvengersInitiative
