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11th Annual Mt.Tabor Downhill Challenge
Yes it's back again after a very noteworthy 10th anniversary event last year. If you are just finding out about this event and want to read about it's history then check out this Article – Event History. Last year was the first year we issued equal prize money out to both the Women's Skate Class and Open Class. We are doing that again this year with $1000 each to both first place finishers. Huge thanks to Loaded Boards for sponsoring and helping to make this happen again!
New this year is a Luge Race. The last couple years we have allowed them to join the Freeride part of the event. And with more coming out each year to ride the hill, we are now offering a Luge Race Class! The Masters Skate race (40 plus) will be returning as well with a showdown of many older generation downhill skaters regularly coming to ride and race at this event year after year. We are also still allowing Roller Skaters and Roller Bladers to Freeride the hill. All participants whether Freeriding, Racing, or both are shuttled to the top for every run
10th Annual Event Video with Photos by Jon Huey.
Racers Ready!!! GO!!!
SATURDAY July 27th SCHEDULE -
8:30am Check-in for Registered Riders who paid online. Day of Registration (cash only)
9am Riders Meeting
9:30am-Noon Freeriding Runs for all.
Noon-1pm Lunch
1pm-5pm Freeriding, practice runs, and Racing.
5pm-ish Podium and Awards
9pm After Party TBA
Luger riders coming through the S-Turn before the long straight-away.
For the last decade this event has been many rider's first downhill event for many reasons. The location and the hill is mellow, not as fast or technical, and a great first event where riders can get used to racing downhill more easily than most other events. Being in the city makes it easy to get there without a lot of planning either. Also the hill is closed to cars all the time so many practice here before the event and can get used to the road before riding it on race day. Local rider Robin McGuirk of Eastside Longboards has been teaching Longboarding lessons and classes here for many years. Many of his students ride and race at this local event to gain experience before traveling to other events.
Skate racers on the long straight-away with the view of Downtown Portland
As a spectator, this is one of the most accessible and easiest to watch downhill events. The hill is located at Mt.Tabor Park in Portland, Oregon right in the middle of city. It's easy to drive to and park and walk up to the hill to watch. It's a beautiful sprawling park full of huge evergreen trees with a great view of the city. The best time to come and watch the action is either in the morning from about 10am-Noon during the practice runs. Or in the early afternoon from 2-4pm during the racing. You can walk along the road but not on it, and find different corners and sections to see some of the exciting action. With several race runs taken place during the afternoon race heats and freeriding, a good strategy to see the whole course is to start at the top for the first round or racing. And then go down the hill a bit after all the riders are down the hill to get a different view. You will see the Uhaul bring the riders back to the top of the hill, and shortly after they will all go down the hill again. After each run you can walk down a bit farther to watch the riders come down until you get to the finish line for the Finals. All the Finals will be on the last run of the day somewhere around 4-5pm. You can ask the course workers along the road what round it is and they can let you know so you don't miss the Final heats crossing the finish line at the bottom. And see who wins each of the 4 classes of races. Often many of the riders not in the finals will also be at the bottom to watch. It's a great time and a great experience seeing the extreme end of the sport on a closed road.
Freeride skaters and lugers coming around the last corner and across the finish line!
Check out this video for several Mic'ed Up runs from 2018 featuring Ethan Cochard of Loaded Boards, Cat O'dell ladies run, Jon Huey, Keanin McCarthney of Landyachtz, and Robin McGuirk.
View from the finish line of riders on course
A very tight Women's 2023 Final with Tess 1st, Alish 2nd, and Kat 3rd
2023 Mt.Tabor Champions to be challenged this year!
Women's Open Skate – Tess Campbell
Open Class Skate – Simon Snethen
Masters Skate – Robin McGuirk
Luge – New Class first champion crowned this year!
Register online by July 22nd and lunch by Sizzle Pie Pizza will be provided!
Freeride Entry is $55 and Racing Entry is $75 – Register Here
Join the Event Page for all the latest info – 11th Annual Mt.Tabor Downhill Challenge