FAQs

Please visit the registration page.

Registrations for the in-person event close at 12pm on Friday, 8 March 2024. Depending on numbers, event registrations may close earlier.

Registrations for the Virtual Kosi Challenge will remain open until Saturday, 16 March 2024.

All challengers will receive a RARE merchandise, either on the day (in-person challengers) or in the mail (virtual challengers).

Adults attending in-person

Registration: $95.00

Children (under 17) attending in-person

Registration $45.00

Discounted accommodation is available for participants. Please contact Nicole Thrum, Events & Groups Manager, Thredbo on 02 6459 4184 and mention Rare Cancers Kosi Challenge to receive your discounted room rate.

If you drive your car into the National Park you will be required to purchase a Parking Pass. The cost is currently $17.00 per car per day. 

See website for further information.

Adults and children participating virtually

$40.00

All participants will receive a RARE branded gift. Those involved in-person will get a cap or drink bottle on the event day, and virtual Challengers will receive a cap in the mail.

No, you must pre-register online for the in-person Kosi Challenge. 

Registrations for the in-person event close at 12pm on Friday, 8 March 2024. Depending on numbers, event registrations may close earlier.

The registration fee covers administration costs, event insurance, associated fees and promotion.

Since its launch in 2013, the Kosi Challenge has raised over $4 million for patients and invaluable public awareness for rare cancers.

From time-to-time RCA runs special promotions for events, which may include a discount. Currently, there is no public promotion or discount available for this event.

All participants will receive a complimentary RARE branded gift.

Additional RARE caps and other merchandise can be purchased online through our merchandise store, or you can purchase a cap on the day for $35 each.

Our official photographer will be taking photos on the event day.

A link will be emailed to all participants after the event, which will allow them to download photos free-of-charge.

You are also welcome to bring along your own camera, device and selfie stick.

The in-person Kosi Challenge is on Friday 15 March and Saturday 16 March 2024.

The Virtual Kosi Challenge can be completed any time in March 2024.

All participants will receive a RARE branded gift. Those involved in-person will get a cap or drink bottle on the event day, and virtual Challengers will receive a cap in the mail.

The in-person Kosi Challenge is an all-day event on Friday 15 or Saturday 16 March 2024. You can choose your own start time from the list below, according to how you plan to climb Mount Kosciuszko.

Due to the high number of participants, it is crucial that you arrive 20 minutes prior to your start time to allow for registration and event briefing.

Start times are:

• 7.00am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 7.15am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 7.30am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 7.45am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 8.00am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 8.15am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 8.30am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 8.45am Merritts Nature Track walkers only
• 9.00am Chairlift users to Eagles Nest only
• 9.15am Chairlift users to Eagles Nest only
• 9.30am Chairlift users to Eagles Nest only

Please note: A chairlift ticket is included in your registration.

The Virtual Kosi Challenge takes place between 1 and 16 March 2024. You can complete your 25kms or 52kms or set a goal of your choice at any time during this period, with the cut off being 6.00pm on Saturday, 16 March 2024.

We have organised an official photographer who will be taking photos on the event day.

A link will be emailed to all participants after the event, which will allow them to download photos free-of-charge.

Both days follow the same format – challengers begin their staggered starts from Thredbo Alpine Hotel in the morning, descending by early afternoon. After some food to recharge and a shower to refresh, challengers are invited to come together again in the early evening to celebrate the collective difference we’ve made for Australians impacted by rare cancer.

Hear from the people your fundraising will support, remember those we’ve lost, and purchase a BBQ dinner and drinks as you enjoy the company of new friends. A Kosi Awards Ceremony will also be included in Saturday night’s festivities.

The starting point for the Kosi Challenge is in the courtyard of the Alpine Bar in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. 

The address is: 8 Friday Dr, Thredbo, NSW, 2625.

The Summit is 2,228 metres above sea level. Everyone starts at the same point: in the courtyard of the Alpine Bar in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel. 

For approximate times, please check out the following map: www.thredbo.com.au/mountain/walking-trails/

There are two ways to reach the Summit:

Merritts Nature Track & Mt Kosi Track (walkers)

Valley Terminal to Summit is a 10.5km climb or 21km round trip.

You will climb 4km to Eagles Nest and continue the 6.5km to take you to the top!

Eagles Nest (chairlift)

Eagles Nest to Summit is 6.5km or a 13km round trip.

You will get a chairlift to the Eagles Nest Lookout and will walk the entire 6.5km to the Summit.

Those wishing to take the chairlift option must choose a start time from 9.00am onwards, as the chairlift will not be open prior to 9.00am.

Please note: the climb from the base to the Summit is quite strenuous, so please consider using your chairlift ticket if you are not at an adequate level of fitness.

The view from Australia's highest point is spectacular! For the safety of all climbers however, 100 people are permitted on top of the Summit at any one time. Your guide (wearing a high vis RARE vest) will advise when it's time to move on after you have adequate time to rest, celebrate and enjoy.

If you are taking the chairlift down, the last chairlift is scheduled for 4.00pm.

Please remember that you are hiking in the high country, and conditions can change very quickly. While great care is taken to keep participants safe, including having medics on hand, it is up to every climber to be responsible and avoid dangerous behaviour. This includes not climbing on the cairn at the Summit.

You can choose to start from Valley Terminal for the 21km round trip or walk from Eagles Nest for a 13km round trip.

National Parks forbids running on the metal walkways, which can be bouncy and slippery and may endanger other participants.

As people come from far and wide for this event, we won’t be organising team training sessions this year. 

We suggest you undertake your own personal training for the event. Hill climbing, walking on an incline on a treadmill, or stair climbing will help stimulate your climbing muscles!

The Kosi Challenge is quite challenging. Should you doubt your level of fitness please consult your GP prior to registration.

There is a small café at Eagles Nest where some items can be purchased.

Toilet facilities are available at Eagles Nest and also at Rawsons Pass, which is 800m from the summit.

We advise all participants to come prepared with at least 1 litre of water.

100 per cent of funds raised through the Kosi Challenge goes towards the important work of Rare Cancers Australia's (RCA) Patient Support Team.

From helping patients to access specialists and treatments, through to delivering support groups, connecting people with services and providing financial assistance particularly in times of crisis, our Patient Support team are at the heart of what we do.

You will set up a fundraising page as part of your event registration. It is a simple process and can be done online very quickly. You can then share the link with everyone you know online. If you plan to be part of a team, you can join or create a team as part of your event registration. If you forgot to do this, you can always create or join a team via your fundraiser dashboard.

If you are having difficulties with setting up your fundraising page please contact us at kosichallenge@rarecancers.org.au

Australians impacted with rare cancer need urgent support so any amount you raise, no matter how big or small, is appreciated. All funds raised help our team to provide support, information and guidance to families affected by rare, less common and complex cancer, as well as crisis funding to those who need it. And remember – raising public awareness is an important part of the event too, so be sure to share your participation far and wide!

You may, however the Kosi Challenge is a fundraising event. Participants are typically invested in supporting Australians impacted by rare cancer, and this event is an opportunity to raise both awareness and vital funds for those families. If you’re unsure how to get started with fundraising, please see our Fundraising tips to help you reach your peak page.

We’d welcome the provision of a prize to incentivise our participants. If you would like to donate a prize please contact nikki@rarecancers.org.au

Visit www.thredbo.com.au/village-life/about-thredbo/getting-here for information on getting to Thredbo from Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.

Please refer to the registration and start time FAQs above. Ensure that you arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your start time to allow for registration and event briefing.

The meeting point for all participants will be signed appropriately and clearly branded with Rare Cancers Australia banners. The two starting points (chairlift and Merritts Nature Track) will not be flagged, however, event volunteers will guide you there.

For any accommodation inquiries please contact Thredbo Resort Centre on 1300 020 589 or email your accommodation requirements to reservations_thredbo@evt.com

There are also many other accommodation options available, ranging from budget hostels, YHA to serviced apartments and lodges. You may also like to visit bookings.com, airbnb or stayz

Yes, most participants tend to stay Friday and Saturday at Thredbo Village.

The weather is highly changeable on any given day, so please come prepared for all weather conditions. This includes sturdy walking boots or shoes that have been worn in, waterproof jacket, light woollen jumper or fleece, long sleeve top, thermal top, gloves, warm hat and sunscreen/sunglasses. You should also bring at least one litre of water, lunch, snacks and any medication you may need.

Lunch, snacks and water can be purchased at the Village prior to the event.

The weather is highly changeable on any given day. Please come prepared for all weather conditions. It is recommended to wear footwear that has already been worn in to avoid sore feet and blisters. Ideally, this would be hiking boots, but runners/joggers are also OK.

Please bring your own sunscreen, medications and weather gear.

Your profile page includes your personal distance tally so you can track your distance towards your target. This is a great way to keep your friends updated on your workouts!

If you track your workouts with Fitbit, Strava, or Garmin your distances will automatically add to your tally.

Follow these steps to track your KMs automatically:

1. Download the Fitbit, Strava, or Garmin app and set up your account

2. Log in to your Kosi Challenge account.

3. Under the heading Connect your preferred Fitness app, click your chosen app.

4. Follow the prompts to connect your account

5. When you next work out, select start your workout in the app on your phone. Once you end your workout, save your workout and your distance will be published to the tally on your page the following day.

If you have synced your app already but it is not working, please log in and re-connect it.

• Fitbit: You must start an activity and save it. If no activity is logged, then your cumulative activity will sync at the end of the day. If you are having issues, try syncing through BOTH your Fitbit and the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
• Strava: You must start your workout, stop your workout and then SAVE your workout.
• Garmin: You must start your workout, stop your workout and then SAVE your workout.

Your tally will be updated each day with the previous day’s distances.

Yes!

Remember, you can manually add your exercise to the tally in the My Fitness Activity tab within your logged in dashboard. This is a great option if you’re using a pedometer or a different method of tracking your distances.

Follow these steps to manually add your activity:

1. Log in to your account and select My Fitness Activity.

2. Under Add activity, enter the required fields. Depending on the challenge this may be steps, distance and/duration.

3. The logged activity will now appear on your fundraising page!

We’d love you to share your experience on social media! Raising awareness for rare cancers is so important.

Don't forget to use the hashtag #kosichallenge and tag "Rare Cancers Australia" on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter - we'd love to see and share Kosi from your perspective!

There is no official social/networking gathering before the event. Friday evening is available for you to make your own arrangements. However, we will be hosting an awards ceremony on Saturday evening after the hike, in the courtyard outside Thredbo Alpine Hotel. No tickets are necessary. 

As most people need to return home on this day, we will not be holding a Sunday social. 

There is no official social/networking gathering on Thursday. However, challengers are invited to come together in the early evening after their hike on Friday or Saturday, in the courtyard outside Thredbo Alpine Hotel. Here we will celebrate the collective difference we’ve made for Australians impacted by rare cancer, hear from the people your fundraising will support, and remember those we’ve lost. You can also purchase a BBQ dinner and drinks as you enjoy the company of new friends.

A Kosi Awards Ceremony will be included in Saturday night’s festivities.  No tickets are necessary.

The event will go ahead in light rain. If the conditions are deemed unsafe by the ranger, the National Park will be closed. All participants will be notified via an email and a text message if the National Park is closed.

Please visit www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/snowy-mountains/thredbo-village closer to the event.

There will be a fully trained medic at the event. If you or someone in your group is injured, please notify an event organiser to arrange assistance.

Thredbo Medical Centre is located at Valley Terminal and throughout winter is operated by a qualified general practitioner. The centre is open during school holidays. At other times there is first aid care available in Thredbo, and a medical service in Jindabyne. 

The nearest hospital is in Cooma and they can be reached on (02) 6457 6254, or for emergencies dial 000.

We are certainly still connected on top of Australia's highest point! However, the strength of your signal may vary along the journey and is dependent on your provider.

Cancellations occurring less than seven (7) days prior to the event will incur a 10 percent administration fee. Cancellations made less than 72 hours prior to the event will forfeit full payment. Substitutes can be made at any time. See here for our full refund terms and conditions.

Yes, RCA has public liability insurance for this event.