karratha 6 hour
The pinnacle of day/night mountain bike endurance racing!
The next Karratha 6 Hour cross country mountain bike race will take place on Saturday 8th August 2026 – perfect timing to make the most of the ideal cooler weather conditions in Karratha. The main event runs from 1500hrs until 2100hrs with the start/finish line located at the Event Village at the Karratha MTB Club facilities located at 84 Rosemary Road, Karratha.
The event is family friendly and concludes with presentations and a social post-race wind down. Food and soft drinks are available at the Karratha MTB Club Event Village. Specific event details will be released closer to the event date.
HOW IT WORKS
The object of the race is to ride as many laps of the course as possible in the allotted 6 hour time limit. Riders can participate as individuals or in teams. If you are riding in a team of 2 or more there is no set formula. Your team gets to choose who rides when, how many laps and who is supplying the refreshments.
Categories for the Karratha 6 Hour include:
MAIN RACES (Competitive)
- Solo Men
- Solo Ladies
- Solo Masters Men (over 55)
- Solo Masters Ladies (over 55)
- eMTB Male
- eMTB Female
- Team Men (2-4 Riders)
- Team Ladies (2-4 Riders)
- Team Mixed (2-4 Riders)
- Team Junior (4 Riders, under 17, subject to maximum ride time*)
SOCIAL RACES (Non-competitive)
- Team Mixed - Social (2-6 Riders)
- Team Junior - Social (4-6 Riders, subject to maximum ride time)
All teams are encouraged to have a team name and come up with a theme/ colour or costume. There are prizes for the team that has the best outfits.
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KARRATHA 6 HOUR JUNIOR TEAMS
We encourage junior teams (kids) to participate in the Karratha 6 Hour via relay style.
Our youngest riders are 11 (U13) due to skill level and safety to get around a 5km course. Please discuss with Committee if you would like your child to ride/ help find a team.
Please click on the link below to learn more about this category....
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THE COURSE
The Karratha 6 Hour features two course options:
- A Social Loop of approximately 5-6 km
- A Competitive Loop of approximately 9-10 km
Riders can enter as individuals (Competitive only) or teams (Social or Competitive).
A feed station will be located in the transition area for Solo riders, and riders/teams are welcome to set up camp in the Event Village. For safety, vehicle movement in and out of the Event Village is restricted during the event. Vehicles may remain in the village but must stay for the duration of the race unless required in an emergency.
Karratha riding tends to be hard on tyres with lots of rocks. Whether riding tubes or tubeless the great majority are also running with sealant. Most riders are on dual suspension bikes but can use a hard-tail. Riders are encouraged to wear protective gear such as gloves, elbow and knee guards in addition to the mandatory helmet.
For a first hand look at previous Karratha 6 Hour events:
2023 here
2024 here
2025 here
REGISTRATION
Registration opens 6 weeks prior to the event and is promoted on Facebook, Instagram, our website www.karrathamtb.club and via email to members and past competitors.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Required:
- Suitable off-road bike (dual suspension or hardtail MTB)
- Helmet
- Adequate water/hydration
- Front and rear lights - if riding night component.
Recommended:
- Basic repair tools
- Spare tubes (if required)
- Bike pump
- Nutrition - snacks, gels, wraps, lollies!, pickle juice (cramping)
PRIZES
Prizes (TBA) are awarded to each category depending on number of riders signed up.
FOR OUT-OF-TOWN RIDERS
Accommodation
We encourage you to book early if driving or flying up to Karratha for the Karratha 6 Hour. There are several accommodation options in Karratha including backpackers, worker camps, caravan parks and a variety of hotels. There is a caravan park located conveniently located next door to the Karratha BMX track which provides camping and cabins. Search for Discovery Parks – Pilbara. For other accommodation options and more information on Karratha and the surrounds check out the Karratha Visitor Centre – www.karrathaiscalling.com.au
Transport
Karratha is serviced by all major car rental companies. If you are flying to Karratha and require pick up and drop off only, Karratha does have a taxi service and its own version of Uber; Huber.
Bike Sales and Servicing
All Cycle Repairs and Spares are ready to provide fast and friendly service, keeping your mountain bike up and running ensuring less time in the shop and more time on the trails.
They can handle anything from repairs to servicing on any make or model of bike including sorting issues like wheel truing, bearing replacement, general maintenance and have a great selection of spare parts and accessories on hand.
Scott Cycles has a range of mountain bikes, parts and accessories and are available to help with all your regular and electric mountain biking needs while in Karratha.
Other Shopping
Karratha is major city and is serviced by fast food chains including MacDonalds, Hungry Jacks, KFC, Chicken Treat, Dominos and Subway and major retail stores including Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, Harvey Norman, Retravision, Home Hardware, Repco and Auto One, plus numerous specialty stores. There are also all the professional services you may require including doctors, dentists, physios, chiropractors, chemists and a hospital/health campus with emergency department.
You can expect to have everything at hand as if you were in the Perth metro area. Most things are generally available however if you have any particular nutritional requirements for your race you should confirm availability prior or bring it with you.
