ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge

31/05/2026

Attention parents! This is a great event for the little ones ages 3 to 12yrs 🥳

🎨 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗? 🎈

It’s time to trade the screens for some serious, colourful action! Bring the household down to the Mackay Botanic Gardens on Saturday, 15 August 2026 for the absolute highlight of the year: the Golding Kids Colour Ride! 🚴‍♂️✨

Designed for kids aged 3 to 12 years, this isn't a race - it’s a wonderfully chaotic, high-energy, colour-filled celebration of fun on wheels!

And parents, it gets better. The awesome crew from the Mackay City Central Scout Group will be on the grounds serving up a FREE sausage sizzle for all of our Golding Kids Colour Riders for after the ride! 🌭🎉

Make it a full family weekend out. Sign the kids up, grab a team discount if you have 4 or more riders (siblings, friends or cousins - register for your discount code) and let’s create some memories!

👉 Secure your child's spot today: https://www.river2reefride.com.au/bio

27/05/2026

We love having the Demarken Cycling crew racing!!!

21/05/2026

STILL IN AWE OF THE MEMORIES!
We are still well and truly buzzing and in complete awe of the incredible moments created at the 2026 ZACH MACH & MINI MACH Challenges!

The dust may have settled in Hatton, but the energy, the laughter, and the pure grit from the weekend are going to stay with us for a very long time. From our solo competitors pushing their absolute limits to our junior racers tackling the river crossings with massive smiles, truly showcased what adventure racing is all about.

Here are just a few of the epic photos that capture the raw beauty, the "Full Send" action, and the community legacy that defines the Pioneer Valley.

Drop a comment below with your favourite memory from the weekend, or tag a mate you spot in the gallery! 👇✨



Finch Hatton MTB
Mackay Regional Council
Mackay Christian College
Corry Cycles
Mackay Marine Services
Mackay Canoe Club
Pinnacle State School
Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors
Elite Plastic Fabrications
Tri-ActiV8
Capital Consulting Engineers
RSL Finch Hatton Sub-Branch

13/05/2026

✨𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗡 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗! 🏔️📸

Looking back at last Saturday, our hearts are still racing from the incredible energy of the 14th ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge! To every adventure warrior who joined us - whether you were crushing the course, cheering from the sidelines, or working tirelessly behind the scenes - thank you for making it a weekend to remember.

From the early morning mist at the start line to the high-fives at the finish, the spirit of the Pioneer Valley was on full display. We saw epic sprints, strategic transitions, and that legendary "Full Send" attitude that makes this community so special.

Athletes - remember to download your photos. Check Monday's event wrap-up email for all of the download details.

𝗪𝗘’𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡!⏳
If you missed out this year or you’re already itching to beat your personal best, it’s time to start the preparation. We are officially doing it all again next year!

📅 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗦: 𝟴 & 𝟵 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

Get ready to flip the switch once more in Finch Hatton. We can't wait to see you back on the trails, on the water, and on the road! 🛶🚴‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏁

📸 Brendan Ban Photography

12/05/2026

𝗔 𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡! 🚲✨
The smiles were extra wide at the finish line this year when Lilian unlocked the lucky code of a brand-new bike, thanks to the legends at Corry Cycles!

Congratulations to Lilian, who is now the very stoked owner of some new wheels. We can't wait to see you out on the trails finding your flow!

𝗔 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 🙌
We are incredibly grateful to the team at Corry Cycles for their unwavering, ongoing support of the ZACH MACH and MINI MACH Adventure Challenge. Every single year, they show up for our community by giving away a bike to one of our junior racers.

It is more than just a prize - it’s about keeping our next generation of riders active, outdoors, and on two wheels.

Thank you, Corry's, for helping us make magic happen in the Pioneer Valley once again! 🧡🚲

12/05/2026

Trail Run Results are up on ActiV8 Adventures and registrations are now open for the next trail run of the series - Eungella Rainforest Run!

Choose from 5km | 11km or 18km!

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the trails within the clouds! If you are lucky, you will get a view or two! 18km runners will get their feet wet!

View Results of the ZACH MACH Trail Run: https://my.raceresult.com/370816/results

Register for Eungella Trail Run:
https://my.raceresult.com/370816/registration

10/05/2026

🧡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦! 🧡
My heart is well and truly overflowing after such an incredible weekend in the Pioneer Valley! While the athletes were busy conquering the course, it was our wonderful volunteers who truly conquered the day.

Whether your role was humungous, massive, or a small but vital helping hand - you were the heartbeat of this event. From saving someone from a wrong turn and calming pre-race nerves, to making every single athlete feel special with a smile and a cheer, your generosity and time made the ZACH MACH & MINI MACH Adventure Challenge the magic that it was. ✨

𝗪𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗𝗡'𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨:
Quite simply, our athletes could not have competed the way they did this weekend without your support.

𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼:
🤝 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄:
For your endless energy and smiles. Course marking - putting up tape and arrows to pulling down tape and arrows!

🏆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
For backing local adventure. Mackay Canoe Club Pinnacle State School & Finch Hatton RSL. Active Physiotherapy Mackay & Elite Supps

🌾 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀:
For granting us that precious, exclusive access to your beautiful properties.

🚀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔-𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘄:
Graham, Wendy, Alun, Selena, JB, and Angus - thank you for the countless hours behind the scenes!

𝗟𝗘𝗧’𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘!
Did a volunteer make your race day extra special? Did someone’s encouragement get you through the DAM climb or the paddle sprint or the challenge of the run? 🛶🚴‍♂️

Give your favourite volunteer a mention in the comments below - we would love to hear how amazing they were! 👇🧡



𝗔 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀:
Mackay Regional Council
Mackay Christian College
Elite Plastic Fabrications
Capital Consulting Engineers
Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors
Mackay Marine Services
Corry Cycles
ActiV8 Adventures
Finch Hatton MTB
Tri-ActiV8

10/05/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡! 🏅✨
The Pioneer Valley was flipped on its head today as our MINI MACH, MEGA MACH & PAIRS adventurers took over! 🏔️🏃‍♂️

We ramped up the action with more running, a "sack-load" of fun, and of course the classic river crossings to keep everyone on their toes. From tackling the new obstacles to solving puzzles and splashing through the creeks, it was a wholesome morning of pure adventure energy!

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗡𝗢 𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧!
Whether you’re 6 or 160, today proved that anyone can take that first step into the world of adventure racing. Watching our junior racers find their flow and parents team up as pairs was the ultimate way to spend a Sunday in the valley.

Congratulations to all our podium finishers and every single MINI & MEGA Macher who conquered the course today!

SOLO MACH:
Male:
🥇Hendrik Bester
🥈Zeke Pakowski
🥉Lucas Burnett

Female:
🥇Laureen Bester
🥈Melissa Mcguiness
🥉Jael Kelly

PAIRS:
🥇Mighty Ducks
🥈Cinnamon Donut Crew
🥉Go Gadget Go

Such a fun morning out! Also a huge shout out to Lilian who won the Corry Cycles Bike!

See you all next year!

10/05/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞: 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗚𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗧-𝗢𝗨𝗧!
Collatng a relay team can often be just as challenging as the race itself! From coordinating schedules to the intense pressure of not wanting to let your mates down, the mental game is at its absolute limit before you even hit the start line!

A massive congratulations to our Teams Category podium finishers!

TEAM PODIUMS
🥇Mini & the Menace
🥈ShihPher
🥉Dad's Army

Our relay format allows members to take on one, two, or even three stages - bringing together specialists and all-rounders to conquer the valley as one. The energy in the transition areas was electric this year as teammates cheered each other on through the amazing Pioneer Valley!

Teamwork truly makes the dream work! You all proved that when you combine your strengths, the "impossible" becomes achievable. Great for brining Corporate Teams or Family together!

Will your squad be back to defend the title in 2027? Start recruiting now!