Event Overview
The Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push is a Cross Country Marathon Mountain Bike race. In 2026 it will be held on Saturday, 18th July.
The weekend starts on Friday afternoon where we set up camp at the Hidden Valley Cricket Oval, before meeting at the start line in Paluma on the Saturday morning. Our Event HQ and finish line are located back at the Hidden Valley Cricket Oval, this is also where we will hold the After Party. Once you have done the hard yards on the course, join us for live music, food truck fiesta, a toasty bon fire and beers.
Make sure to get your race registrations in before the event sells out and don't forget to book your camping and any bus passes.
Race Pack Collection
Check out our Event Schedule to find out your options when it comes to collecting your Race Pack. You'll have two opportunities to collect your Race Pack before Saturday morning. We strongly encourage you to collect on the Thursday or Friday if you can so that you can ensure you have everything you need and secure your chosen tshirt size.
Friday Camping
If you would like to camp at Hidden Valley on Friday night, please make sure you book your camping and any bus transfers with your registration. If you've already registered, you can add these items to your registration by using the link supplied in your confirmation email. Everyone who wishes to camp needs to book one spot per person, per night. Non-Participants are welcome to camp but must be added as an additional purchase to the camping bookings.
When you arrive in Hidden Valley, please check in with our Camp Coordinator, who will direct you to your camping spot. We will have a lot of people camping at the Cricket Oval, so please be mindful of others when setting up. Tent camping is preferred and cars might have to be parked outside the camping area. If you are bringing a bigger set up, i.e. caravan or camper trailer, we will ask you to set up in the 'big rig' camping area.
An Event HQ & Camp map is available on our website. There will be toilet and shower facilities available for campers and riders. There will be one big bon fire as well as a few fire buckets in the festival area.
Please ensure to read the Camp Rules. Please do not establish new fire pits! Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed at the event.
Cob Delights and Woodfired Delights will be at the camp grounds for Friday night. See below for their menus.
Saturday- Race Day
Please ensure that you are across all of your timings on the day. You can find this information out from our Event Schedule and our Athlete Guide.
All riders must be in Paluma prior to the compulsory rider briefing.
Additionally, everyone who is camping on Friday night in Hidden Valley will need to make their way to Paluma to sign in and get ready for race start. Keep in mind that the road between the Dam Rd turn off and Paluma Village will be closed to all traffic from 8am until 10am. There is a bus that can take riders between Hidden Valley and Paluma, but tickets must be purchased in advance and spots are strictly limited (and go quickly). The Transfer bus pick up location will be sign posted at Event HQ in Hidden Valley (see HQ map details). Please be punctual for the bus pick up as it must leave Hidden Valley no later than the scheduled time.
A coffee cart will be set up at the start line in Paluma, this is a good option to purchase breakfast and hot drinks. EFTPOS payment will be available in Paluma. The local cafe The Ivy Cottage is opening their doors early and are located only 300 meters from the start line.
All riders must 'sign in' at the rotunda next to the community hall in the morning. If you are yet to collect your race pack, you will have to collect this from inside the hall before signing in at the rotunda.
Mini Push
After the 'big kids' have raced it's time for the little ones. If you have kids coming up with, make sure you throw their bike on the rack and register them for the Mini Push.
The next generation of riders will be ripping it up along a set course around HQ area on Saturday afternoon starting at 2.30pm. Start is at the Bus Stop and they will finish along the Push Finish Shute. The course is approximately 2km in distance.
All participants will receive a finisher medal and there is a cash prize for the first boy and first girl across the line.
Please register in advance using the online registration system. Maximum age is 10 years, recommended minimum age is 4 years.
After Party
Once you have finished, kick back and relax at Event HQ at the Ted Furber Memorial Park (Hidden Valley Cricket Oval). There are shower and toilet facilities available for riders who are booked in for the camping on Friday/Saturday night. There will be a bike wash station available, please try to give your bike a rinse to help us stop the potential spread of weeds.
The Award Presentation will be held at Hidden Valley Event HQ at approximately 3pm. Every rider who finishes the race will receive a Paluma Push Finisher Medal. The Top 3 riders, male and female, in all distances will be awarded with a trophy as well as cash prizes. The total cash prize pool is over $5,600!
The Paluma District Community Association is opening the bar from 12pm onwards and there will be live music from 6pm onwards. We will also have Woodfired Delights, Cob Delights as well as the SES BBQ Truck on site. Please remember to bring cash for any food or drink purchases as there is no reception in Hidden Valley.
Sunday
The SES is putting on a BBQ breakfast at Hidden Valley. Please bring cash for any food and drink purchases. Woodfired Delights will also be serving up food and will have your caffeine needs covered.