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Mt.Tabor Downhill Challenge 2016

Located at the most famous hill in Portland, Mt.Tabor Park on the Eastside.  This hill is legendary to locals and riders afar for being a closed run completely free of cars and open access from the top to bottom on Wednesdays.

This year Portland’s premier skate shop Daddies Board Shop is presenting the event.  And doing so in a very similar matter as the past 5 years.  If you are not skating at the event, come out to watch!  You won’t be dissappointed, it’s a rare day for a legit downhill race to be located right in the middle of a huge city.  Most other events of this status are located far away from metropolises on such hills like Maryhill.  So this is your chance as a spectator to see some top notch racers from all around battle it out!  Good racing and good times are had by all that come out, don’t miss it!

Cost:  $77 online – REGISTRATION LINK

Required Gear:  Full-face Helmet and Slide gloves.

Official 2016 Poster
Official 2016 Poster by Daddies Board Shop.

More Info at the Facebook Event Page.

This event is well known as one of the events riders get the most runs at.  It’s a one of kind day at Mt.Tabor as a skater by being shuttled to the top upwards of a dozen runs.  Normally you’d have to hike and after a half dozen runs, most riders are spent.  Plus to have the whole hill completely free of all peds, bikes, and cars with the confidence you can go full speed with no worries.  Then adding to the fun doing race heats with riders of your skill level and age group.  If you plan on racing, don’t worry about being eliminated and not skating as much.  All riders get to go back to the top on every run except the finals.  So everyone gets a chance to do the hill all day long.  Previous years riders do practice runs all morning until lunch break.  Pre-registered riders get to choose their sandwich online and everyone takes a break to eat.  After lunch racing begins and runs are had for the rest of the afternoon.  Age classes are separated for racing with Grom class (15 and below), Womens, Masters (40 plus), and Open Class that everyone can race in.

 

Robin McGuirk on left. Jon Huey on right. Photo by Spencer Morgan during the first event in 2011..
Robin McGuirk on left. Jon Huey on right. Photo by Spencer Morgan during the first event in 2011.

 

Notice the overlapped feet and knees side by side. This "Old School" tuck is required for the Open Class.
Notice the overlapped feet and knees side by side. This “Old School” tuck is required for the Open Class.  Photo by Kroll Images 2011.

 

Riders getting shuttled in the uhaul back to the top. Photo by Spencer Morgan.
Riders getting shuttled in the uhaul back to the top. Photo by Spencer Morgan.

 

Tuck pumping during the first and only slalom race at this event. I won this head to head event that was located on the soapbox hill. Photo by Kroll Images.
Tuck pumping during the first slalom race at this event. I won this head to head race that was located on the soapbox hill. Photo by Kroll Images.
Oregonian Brandon Desjarlais as a grom winning the Tabor board in 2011. Photo by Kroll Images.
Oregonian Brandon Desjarlais as a grom winning the Tabor board in 2011. Photo by Dabe Alan.

 

Eastside Dan Thatcher leading organizer Billy Meiners in a semi-final heat in 2013. Photo by Skate District.
Eastside Dan Thatcher leading organizer Billy Meiners in a semi-final heat in 2013. Photo by Skate District.

 

Eastsider Eric Hovey tucking down the straight in 2013. Photo by Kroll Images.
Eastsider Eric Hovey tucking down the straight in 2013. Photo by Kroll Images.
Riders being dropped off at the top and getting ready for the next run.
Riders being dropped off at the top and getting ready for the next run in 2015.
Quarter final heat down the straight. Photo by Khaleeq Alfred.
Quarter final heat in 2015 down the straight. Photo by Khaleeq Alfred.
Juniors Ernie and Sky resting after a heat.
Groms Ernie and Sky resting after a heat.

 

The waiting game is key on this hill. If you pass to early then you will most likely get passed back before the finish. Photo by Khaleeq Alfred.
The waiting game is key on this hill. If you pass too early then you will most likely get passed back before the finish. Photo by Khaleeq Alfred.

 

All smiles after lots of runs! Defending Champion Brandon Tissen on the right with finalist Pat Haluska on the right and Eastsider Dan Thatcher in the middle.
All smiles after lots of runs! Defending Champion Brandon Tissen on the right with finalist Pat Haluska on the right and Eastsider Dan Thatcher in the middle.
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