AFTER 11 days of crawling through some of the world's toughest terrain, Paralympian Kurt Fearnley yesterday celebrated conquering the Kokoda Track with his parents Jacqueline and Glenn - and a cold beer.
About 11am yesterday, the 28-year-old announced he had finished dragging himself 96 kilometres along one of the most historically significant trails for Australia.
“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," he wrote on his blog www.kurtfearnley.beinvolve.com.au .
Fearnley has completed the trek with 15 of his closest friends and family.
“All the aches are gone, at least for an hour or so," he wrote a on his blog after finishing
Fearnley, the four-time New York wheelchair marathon winner, was dragging himself on his hands around the famous track to help raise money for men's health initiative Movember.
The team had raised $24,660 by 11am yesterday with messages of support and congratulations starting to flow through.
Three hours later, when Fearnley had a welcome back reception at the Gateway Hotel, that figure was at $25,300 with the wheelchair champion’s personal tally at $20,748.
Fearnley's superhuman effort over the 11 days inspired people all over the country, many of whom left messages of support on his website.
“You made me cry. I can only aspire to be as brave as you,” one woman posted.