Off The Beaten Track Trail Series - New Moon Ultra 2026 Results
Official WebsiteOff The Beaten Track Trail Series - New Moon Ultra 2026 was held on Saturday, 21 March 2026 at Rowallan Park, Holts Road, Mackay QLD.
Events
Saturday 21 March
-
80.4km (12 Laps)6pm
-
40.2km (6 Laps)6pm
-
6.7km (1 Lap)6pm
Quick Facts
- Date
- Saturday, 21 March 2026
- Terrain
- Trail
- Location
- Rowallan Park, Holts Road, Mackay
- Entry Fee
- Check the entry page for current prices
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Start Time
- 6:00 PM (hourly starts)
- Good for Beginners
- The 1-lap option (6.7km) is suitable for trail running newcomers, but the ultra distances require significant night running and endurance experience
Event Details
Course Description
The New Moon Ultra delivers a unique after-dark trail running experience at Rowallan Park in Mackay. Runners complete a challenging 6.7km loop every hour on the hour, starting at 6pm and continuing through the night. The course flows on and off the exclusive-access Rowallan MTB trails, featuring varied terrain with gradients that keep you engaged throughout. As darkness falls, the technical sections become increasingly demanding, with changing visibility adding to the challenge. The course combines flowing singletrack with more technical trail sections, offering a test of both physical endurance and mental resilience. With the final lap starting at 5am for ultra-distance runners, you'll experience the full transformation from dusk to dawn on this memorable course.
Getting There
Rowallan Park is located on Holts Road in Mackay, Queensland. The venue is accessible by car with parking available on-site. Plan to arrive between 3pm and 5:30pm for race check-in, bib collection, and setting up your recovery area. If you've booked a 3m x 3m gazebo space for your support crew, allow extra time for setup. Public transport options in Mackay are limited, so driving or arranging a lift is recommended. Consider the late finish times when planning your return journey.
Weather & What to Pack
Late March in Mackay brings warm, humid conditions typical of tropical Queensland. Expect daytime temperatures around 25-30°C, cooling to 20-24°C overnight. High humidity is common, so hydration is critical throughout the event. The 6pm start offers relief from the day's heat, but you'll still be running in warm conditions initially. As night falls, temperatures moderate but humidity persists. Pack a headtorch with spare batteries, moisture-wicking layers for varying temperatures, and consider anti-chafing products for the humid conditions. Insect repellent is advisable for the evening start.
Race details last updated 6 Sep 2026
Planning to run Off The Beaten Track Trail Series - New Moon Ultra next time?
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
What makes this a 'New Moon Ultra' event?
The race is scheduled on the March new moon, meaning minimal moonlight throughout the night. You'll be running predominantly in darkness using headtorches, with hourly lap starts from 6pm through to 6am for the longest distance. This creates a unique challenge as visibility changes dramatically from dusk to complete darkness and back to dawn.
How does the hourly start format work?
All distances start at 6pm sharp, then each new lap begins on the hour every hour. If you're doing 6 laps (40.2km), you'll start fresh laps at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm, finishing by midnight. The 12-lap distance continues through to a final 5am start. You must complete each lap before the next hourly start.
What mandatory gear do I need?
A reliable headtorch with spare batteries is essential for the night running sections. Check the official event guide for the complete mandatory gear list. The recovery area allows you to set up support between laps, so plan your nutrition, hydration, and equipment changes accordingly. Optional gazebo hire ($30) provides dedicated space for crew and gear.
Can I access the Rowallan trails outside of the event?
No, running on the Rowallan MTB trails is strictly prohibited outside of this event. Tri-ActiV8 has exclusive access once a year to deliver this trail running experience, making the New Moon Ultra a rare opportunity to explore these trails.
Is there prize money available?
Yes, prize money is offered for each distance category. This event has been specifically designed in response to athlete requests, with competitive incentives to attract strong fields. Check the official website for current prize money details and category breakdowns.
parkruns near this race
Free, timed 5km every Saturday morning. A good hit-out between races.
- Mackay parkrun Sat 7:00am · 5.8 km away · West Mackay
- Seaview parkrun Sat 7:00am · 7.3 km away · Bucasia
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