YOUR STORY: A little more than a week ago, Toowoomba's first ever Kokoda Challenge Youth Program teens were preparing for the biggest challenge of their young lives.

Laden with hiking boots, head torches and walking poles, they headed for The Kokoda Challenge, which was held over in the rugged Gold Coast hinterland.

Thirty-two and a half hours later, they finished the epic 96 kilometre walk with only two casualties.

One Kokoda Kid had to pull out after hiking almost 35 kilometres while the other was pulled out by leaders just 15 kilometres from the finish when he became delirious with heat stroke due to wearing too many layers of clothing while exerting himself on the hills.

More than 400 of the 2,500 Kokoda Challenge competitors pulled out due to injury or fatigue over the weekend.

Program volunteer leader Adam Wenitong, who also works for Toowoomba Youth Service, says how proud he is of the Toowoomba Kokoda Kids' achievement.

"This is the first Toowoomba KCYP ever and our kids are doing well.

"It's a brilliant program - life changing for myself as well as the kids. It's probably the best youth program I've ever done in my 15 years of youth work.

"The hills work the kids out - and the preparation gives them the knowledge they need. They've got to get themselves up there - we're just here to support them."

Founder of the youth program Doug Henderson OAM said, "Every year The Kokoda Challenge tests the mettle of people who compete but, as I always say, what you get out of life is absolutely and directly related to what you put into it - and even more important are the consequences of your choices!"

"Our Toowoomba Kokoda Kids overcame the difficulties, stayed on their feet through the night, and crossed the line together.

"That's what it's all about - helping your mates and realising you can do tough things if you put the effort in."

The Kokoda Kids will now commence weighted-pack training in preparation for their trip to Papua New Guinea in late September.

The goal is to develop enough strength to carry backpacks weighing 20 kilograms during the long mountainous walks of the Kokoda Track and Northern Beaches Village Tour.

Be prepared to see more of the Kokoda Kids testing themselves on the Toowoomba range this August and September!