Event Overview
Round 3 of the 2026 FNQ Interschool Challenge is scheduled for Sunday 6 September at Smithfield MTB Park in Cairns, with the event site based at the Crankworx venue behind the JCU campus. This round is run as an enduro format with a short course (four stages) and a long course (five stages). Race-day flow includes plate collection and registration from 8:45am, a 9:15am briefing, and a 9:30am start.
What the Course Demands
Smithfield’s round combines multiple timed stages with linking sections, so the effort profile shifts between short, high-intensity pushes and controlled recovery. The short course lists 2.6km of racing with 217m total vertical climbing, while the long course lists 3.4km of racing with 288m total vertical climbing. Riders benefit from reliable pacing across stages, clean technical execution at speed, and enough self-sufficiency to manage issues between the start and finish locations.
Who This Event Suits Best
This round is best suited to school-aged riders who want a structured enduro race environment with clearly defined stages and an organised event site. The short course aligns with younger grades and a social/non-competitive option, while the long course targets older grades with an extra stage and higher total race workload. It also suits riders who value a single on-course feed zone and a set race schedule for planning logistics.
