Event #2: Eungella Rainforest Run
Join us in 2024 for our 4-part off the beaten track Trail Run Series.
Prepare to get off the beaten track, off-road and on uneven ground. This course is guaranteed to get you panting with plenty of ups and downs to challenge everyone.
Date: 7 JULY 2024
Course: 5km, 11km and 18km.
Start/Finish: Cnr Eungella Dam Road & Hazelwood Roads
Welcome to the second edition of our highly anticipated 2024 Trail Running Series! As we embark on our sophomore year, we are thrilled to continue guiding our dedicated community beyond the conventional running paths. The event commences with an exhilarating 100% off-road challenge, promising an invigorating start for all participants.
Embrace the thrill of navigating through the secluded corners of Eungella National Park, leaving the familiar behind. For the intrepid souls opting for the 18km Remote Run, an unforgettable journey awaits as you delve into the remote backroads, immersing yourself in the unspoiled beauty of nature while conquering diverse terrains.
Prepare to test your skills with technical sections featuring steep climbs and fast-paced hidden dirt tracks, ensuring an adrenaline-fueled adventure from start to finish. Conveniently located just 80km from Mackay, Eungella provides the perfect escape from the urban chaos, beckoning all trail running enthusiasts to explore its untamed landscapes and unearth the joys of off-road running.
THE COURSES
5km Out & Back Sprint
11km The Loop Run
18km The Remote Run
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A fun fast run that is guaranteed to provide a taste of what trail running is about. This is for beginners or junior cross country athletes who want to challenge themselves on a challenging short course.
Athletes will head up the track, and return back to the start!
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The Intermediate - guaranteed to test!
Starting at Eungella Dam Road, athletes will head in the opposite direction of the 18km Runners. Water and refreshments will be available along the way. Mixed terrain, a chance of wet feet, but guaranteed a climb or three!
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Strap your ankles and get ready for a little bit of everything! This course provides rolling downhills and punchy ups for any style of runner! 590m of Elevation to be precise!
The course will be clearly marked with pink tape, signage, arrows and caution tape. An opportunty to submerge yourself at the river at the Diggings twice!
ABOUT THE COURSE
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In order for our events to run as smoothly as possible we ask all athletes to cooperate and stick to our rules and regulations:
No rego, No run! – Please respect our event, we have permissions from landowners, local and state authorities and have insurances to cover our athletes. Please do not jeopardise our licences and insurances by running without a registration.
Timing Chip – Please make sure your timing chip is on your left ankle, this ensures the correct detection of your timing chip by the electronic timing system. The timing chip can not be worn on your wrist or carried in your back pack, this might cause the timing chip to not be picked up by the antenna at the finish line. Please return your timing chip at the end of the run - a fee of $50 will apply to any missing timing chips.
No shortcuts – please stick to the marked track, for safety and fairness reasons. All courses are clearly marked and we have marshals out on the course.
Fitness level – please choose the right distance according to your fitness level! This event is not designed to be walked, especially the 14km event (accept a little bit of the uphill). Event officials reserve the right to pull competitors out of the race if they are concerned for their well-being.
Obey traffic regulations unless otherwise instructed by an event official
Treat other competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators with respect and courtesy
Dress Code – please wear appropriate clothing and suitable running shoes
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Be mindful that the trails are open for other users outside of the race, including 4WDs, Motor bikes and MTBs
Do not leave any rubbish behind, this is a State Forest and Private Lease Area. What you bring in you must take out
Keep left and give way to runners passing from behind
Don’t approach any wildlife you may come across on the trails, there is scrub cattle in the area
RACE RULES
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Points accumulate across the series and include all 4 events:
ZACH MACH Trail Run (11 May)
Eungela - Rainforest
Finch Hatton - Flow Trails (4 August)
Captain’s Crossing (12 October)
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Age groups are as follows (as of your age on 31 December 2024):
Under 16 years
16 to 29 years
30 to 39 years
40 to 49 years
50 to 59 years
60+
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oints are awarded based on the following criteria:
Athletes receive points for each run. Your total score is the sum of all your attended (and finished) races listed above.
The winner of each age category will receive 25 points. Each place will receive 2 less points (ie. 2nd place 23 points, 3rd place 21 points etc.).
Points are calculated separately for men and women
SERIES POINTS
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Sign in and race chip collection starts from 7.00am at the FINISH/START Line located at the corner of Eungella Dam Road & Hazelwood Roads. Race course briefing will be held 5-10min prior to race start. 18km run starts at 8.00am | 11km run starts at 8.15am | 5km run starts at 8.20am.
The race start is self seeded and we advise the faster runners to position themselves at the front and slower runners at the back. This will help to prevent bottlenecks along the trail and faster runners becoming stuck behind slower runners.
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Please see below for the mandatory gear requirements for the 11km & 18km runners.
Mandatory gear must be carried for the duration of the run, event officials reserve the right to refuse a participant to start the race if they do not comply with mandatory gear requirements.
We have marshals on the course and a safety vehicle with additional first aid.
2 x compression bandages
a fully charged phone (there is limited service along the course) Please download the free EMERGENCY+ app on your phone prior to the event
Whistle
Timing Chip
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Top 3 Male & Female for each distance are awarded at presentation
Top 3 junior boys and girls (short distance only) are awarded at presentation
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Presentation will be held as soon as the Top 3 runners have finished.
Prizes will be given to the top 3 runners on the day
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Bring sufficient water for the entire duration of your run for what you require.
Each competitor is responsible for their own nutrition requirements.
Only one water station will be available on course, however it will be limited due to logistics.
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Toilets are not available at the START/FINISH Line.
The closest public toilets are located at the top of Eungella Range (Cricket Ground) and at the Broken River Day Use Area.
The course runs through Eungella National Park & Crediton Reserves, please ensure you do not litter along the course and respect the reserve.
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We encourage you to support the local businesses in the area.
The Eungella Chalet
Cafe Eden (weather dependent)
Broken River Cafe & Day Use Area
Water and fruit will be available at the finish line.
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The trails include sections of challenging and remote single track, be sure to exercise caution on these sections.
If you DO NOT FINISH the race you must see an event official and return your timing chip. If you do not report to an event official and a search party is sent out, this will be at the competitor’s cost. It may be hot so please take precautions to stay safe in the heat.
Timinig chips that are not returned will incur a direct fee of $50.00 payable by the competitor responsible for returning this to race officials.
COMPETITOR INFORMATION
2023 PHOTO GALLERY:
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off the beaten track - Trail Run Series
11 May | 7 Jul | 4 Aug | 12 Oct
Get off the beaten track with our 4-part Trail Running Series through Mackay’s State Forest and National Parks. Choose from 4 events and 3 distances at each event.
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Event #1: ZACH MACH - River Run
Date: Saturday 11 May 2024
We are excited to add the ZACH MACH Trail Run to our Trail Series! A quick 10km run that crosses Cattle Creek several times, flows through rainforest and cane paddocks. We are positive that you won’t want to miss this adventure!
REGISTRTIONS OPEN
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Event #3: Finch Hatton - Flowing Trails
Date: Sunday 4 August 2024
Embark on an exhilarating off the beaten track trail run in Finch Hatton, where you'll be captivated by the spectacular scenery deep within the MTB Trails. A once a year opportunity to run the iconic MTB Trails.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN