Patrick Fogarty is a man well known in the data center industry for his strong opinions. He is hoping that his strength of will carry him the 96km across the Gold Coast hinterland of Australia in aid of charity. 

Fogarty who works at Norman Disney &Young, and his team mates Todd Barry, Peter Parnell and John McIntosh (collective age circa 178 years) must finish the course within 39 hours.

Says Fogarty: 'The Kokoda challenge is a charity walk held in the Gold Coast Hinterland to raise money to help wayward teens. The challenge is to walk 96km in 39 hours as a team and cross the finish line together.  The country is some of the roughest in Queensland and typically less than half the teams finish. On top of that my team is a bunch of old blokes!'

Fogarty, before the march

96 km is the length of the real Kokoda track in New Guinea and the Australian 39th Militia were the first troops at Kokoda on 14th July 1942 hence the timeframe of 39hours and the walk being held on the closest weekend to the 14th July (this year 16/17 July). 

'To participate in the challenge each team is required to raise $1500 towards the charity. If anyone could spare a few dollars to both help a worthy charity and our team fundraising I would be most appreciative,' he says. 

All money donated is tax deductable and can be donated directly on line at this link. 

The course

The team is appropriately named Blistering Speed.

The event starts at 7am Saturday and teams must finish by 10pm Sunday.