Women’s Downhill Race
Oct 10-11, 2026
Dry Hill, Port Angeles, WA
Race Info
RACE CATEGORIES & AGE GROUPS
Pro/Open | Age groups are not applicable to this category.
Cat 1 | 18 and under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Cat 2 | 11-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Cat 3 | 10 and under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Party Pace (non-competitive) | Age groups are not applicable to this category
Age groups should be chosen based on age on 12/31/2026
ABOUT THE CATEGORIES
All categories (Pro/Open, Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 3) will start and finish in the same location but will race different courses. The length of each course will be similar, but the terrain will be less challenging for Cat 2 and 3, and more challenging for Pro/Open and Cat 1.
You do not need a UCI license to race in the category of your choosing as ours is NOT a UCI-sanctioned race. You should choose the category that most closely fits the level of difficulty you are most comfortable RACING. You should be able to ride everything on the course for the category that you choose. You will be able to change your category up to the day before the race.
“PARTY PACE” category - This is for ladies who maybe don't want to "race" but still want to participate in the event, just have fun with it, and maybe see how fast they can go without the stress of competing. This category will "race" the Cat 3 course. Riders in this category are free to go at their own pace, whether that be fast or slow, but all are expected to be able to ride the entire course. Costumes encouraged. Fun required!
Pro/Open & Cat 1 course will be on trails categorized as "black" and "double black" ("red" on Trailforks)
Cat 2 course will be on trails categorized as "blue" with possible "black" sections
Cat 3 & Party Pace course will be on trails categorized as "green" and/or "blue"
RACE RULES
Gear requirements: A full-face helmet is MANDATORY. You should also have eye protection, body armor, and a full-suspension bike designed for more aggressive downhill mountain biking terrain.
Racer Start List: You will be emailed a starting order by late Saturday afternoon and it will be posted on our website. You will race with others in your category and age group. You will start in the posted order. Changes to order must be communicated to and approved by the timers at the starting line.
Racer spacing: Racers will be sent off in 45 or 60 second increments depending on the category. Please do not request a ghost rider.
Passing: If you are the racer passing someone, you MUST call out clearly that you are there and need to pass. Communicate with each other to negotiate safe passing. If you are caught by the racer behind you, you MUST let them pass when it is safe to do so.
No headphones: It is imperative that you hear your surroundings while you are racing so that you can communicate with other racers generally and pass or be passed safely.
No partner/friend/family member ride-alongs: If you need specialized support during the race, please have your support rider obtain permission from the race organizers. Support riders MUST have a race plate.
No dogs on course and dogs discouraged from the event: While we love dogs, we have had some unpleasant experiences with them disrupting riders on course and in the staging area. We strongly encourage you to leave your dog at home. If you must bring your dog, they must be leashed and in YOUR control at all times. And again, no dogs on course. This applies to everyone.
WHAT IS A DOWNHILL MTB RACE?
Downhill racing is a relatively short (3-7 minutes) one-stage race where the trail trends downhill for the majority of the track. You may think of it as having a one-stage enduro race, although you are typically shuttled/take a lift to the top of the race course instead of having to pedal yourself. Racers are sent off individually and while passing can occur, it is less frequent than other kinds of racing due to the shorter race course.
Downhill racing has a higher focus on the details - knowing the course well, selecting the fastest/cleanest lines, shifting at the right times, using technical bike handling skills - compared to cross country and enduro style racing.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Race weekend consists of practice day (Saturday) and race day (Sunday).
By the end of practice, you should be comfortable riding the entire course at speed, including any difficult features. On practice day(s), you will be shuttled to the top of the course and then ride down, working to get as familiar with the course as possible. Walking sections, sessioning challenging features, and repeatedly riding the track are the focus on practice days.
You may not do many entire “top-to-bottom” runs before you race until you’ve worked your way down the track, getting comfortable with any technical features. We recommend a slow top-to-bottom roll-through of the whole course on your first ride down, followed by picking apart the course on your subsequent runs, where you stop to scout lines, ride a challenging section multiple times (being careful not to interfere with riders coming down as you push up the trail), or walk through a section to see details that are hard to pick out while on your bike. Once you feel like you’ve mastered all the technical bits, it’s good to get in several top-to-bottom runs, as that will feel different than stop-and-go run-throughs (i.e., more tiring!). You will repeatedly shuttle to the top of the course and ride down, but you don’t want to wear yourself out the day before the race! So watch your energy levels, hydration, and food intake on practice days.
Race day is Sunday. Usually, you will only ride down the course once on your "race run," although sometimes there is the option for a practice run on the morning of race day. People are assigned race times and shuttled to the top in a group with their category. At the start line, racers are sent off individually, with time between each racer, and ride their course to the bottom as quickly as possible. Results are immediate.
After the racing concludes, there will be a raffle and podiums. Food will be available at the venue for purchase.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WIN?
We award 5 deep for each category and age group for Cat 1, Cat 2, and Cat 3. So if you happen to be one of the fastest on race day, you will have a spot on the podium, bragging rights, and a fantastic medal!
And if you happen to be racing in the Pro/Open category, we award 5 deep and have a modest cash prize purse $500 (1st), $300 (2nd), $200 (3rd).
The “Party Pace” category is non-competitive so no awards are planned.
THIS IS FUN!
The information here may sound intimidating. But while it can be challenging, downhill racing is very social and very fun. You can practice with your old and new friends, view lines together, session tough features together, talk while in the shuttle, commiserate over that tough feature that is giving you fits, etc. Overall, this is fun first, and racing is only as serious as you want to take it. And hey, isn’t a challenge a good thing as well?
We are excited to see you at the Dirty Downhill!
Event Details
VENUE
We will be racing the fantastic downhill trails at Dry Hill in Port Angeles, WA. Click here for Google Map directions. From Walkabout Way, take a right through the first gate and follow the signs to the parking area. Please be careful not to block anyone in. You will need a Discover Pass to park at Dry Hill.
Food and drink will be available for purchase onsite from Frugals between 11am-2 or 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.
We recommend bringing a pop-up tent, your camping chairs, and other items to be comfortable hanging outside all day when you aren’t on course practicing or racing.
There will be space available for you to set these up in the staging area. Items must be secured in the event of inclement weather.
There is no running water onsite. Please bring enough water with you for the weekend. We will have very limited water supply for staff and vendors.
There are portable washrooms on site. Please help keep them tidy for everyone throughout the race weekend.
CAMPING & LODGING
Camping at The Olympic Outpost located at 1482 W Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98363 has graciously opened its property for racers, volunteers, and staff to camp on a donation basis (recommended minimum: $25/night per person via Venmo @topleft-trails-coop—please note “Dirty Downhill Camping” in your transfer comment).
Important Details:
Check-In: Private property, not a commercial campsite—no camp host or check-in required.
Sites: First-come, first-served in a spacious open grass field (there is plenty of room).
Facilities: On-site showers and restrooms available. No camper hookups.
Bonus: Epic views of the Olympic Mountains!
NOTE: There will be a fundraiser event at Lincoln Park Grocery at the Outpost on Saturday evening - Dirty Downhill attendees are invited and encouraged to join! Come support the amazing folks who build and maintain the trails in Port Angeles. Visit TopLeftTrails.org or click here for more details.
Elwha RV Park is another nearby camping option.
There is NO CAMPING at the race venue (Dry Hill).
We do not have lodging partners. We recommend that lodging be reserved in the Port Angeles, WA area.
Race Schedule
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SATURDAY
8:00 – Gate & Venue opens
9:00-1:00 – Racer Check-in / Onsite registration
10:00 – Shuttles start rolling for OPEN PRACTICE (all categories)
12:00 – NEW RACE meeting (For NEW racers to learn about race logistics and ask questions)
1:00 – Racer Check-in / Onsite registration / Category changes CLOSED
3:00ish - Sunday START LIST published (linked below) and emailed to racers. Please check the list to make sure all your information is correct (check plate # and category). If there are any mistakes, let us know by sending email OR stop by the registration booth, and we will make necessary corrections.
4:00 – OPEN PRACTICE CLOSED
5:00 – Gate & Venue closes
5:00 - Trail fundraising party at Lincoln Park Grocery located at the Outpost (you should come, it’s fun!)
SUNDAY
8:00 – Gate & Venue opens
9:00 - 11:30 - OPEN PRACTICE for all categories
12:00 - RACING STARTS with Party Pace going first. See START LIST FOR ALL OTHER START TIMES
Timing is in the START LIST. The START LIST will specify the timing for category. There are NO SIGHT LAPS.
Please note that times are ESTIMATES.
Be sure to check your information on the START LIST. If there are any issues, come to the timing hut by the finish line first thing Sunday morning.
AWARDS and Raffle will happen after racing is completed. See START LIST to get an estimate on when that might be.
Who’s Racing???
FAQs
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No. You will NOT be able to shuttle yourself either due to active logging. Don’t worry, you will get PLENTY of practice on Saturday!
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Step 1: Login to your account https://sturdydirty.account.webconnex.com/. If you haven't logged in yet, you'll need to claim your account, create a password and provide some personal information.
Step 2: Click on "Registrations" [On mobile the menu might not show up right away. If it doesn't, tap the area between the Sturdy Dirty logo and the "Your personal information..." and it will show up OR just rotate your phone and the menu will magically appear.]
Step 3: Click on "Dirty Downhill 2026"
Step 4: Click "Edit"
Step 5: Make necessary changes.
Step 6: Click "SAVE"
If you have issues, contact us!
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To cancel your registration, contact us.
The refund policy is as follows…
UP TO 14 DAYS PRIOR to race day: PARTIAL REFUND of race registration less $50 refund fee.
LESS THAN 14 DAYS from race day: NO REFUND.
NO TRANSFERS
NO EXCEPTIONS
APPLICABILITY. This Refund Policy applies in the event that (i) you did not add Purchase Protection to your registration, or (ii) you added Purchase Protection to your registration but your reason for cancelling is not covered under the Purchase Protection policy. If you added Purchase Protection to your registration and your reason for cancellation is covered by the Purchase Protection policy, then you must seek refund through the Purchase Protection provider (www.purchaseprotection.com).
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Race Registration fee includes 2 days of shuttling (Saturday practice and Sunday race). Everything else will cost ya.
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ALL THE "WOMEN" :-)
We use an inclusive definition of "woman" and "female". We welcome anyone who experiences life as a woman, identifies as a woman, are gender fluid/diverse/queer/expansive, questioning, or non-binary. All are welcome to spectate and volunteer, but only women may race. -
While we do our best to capture as many riders as possible, an official photo is not guaranteed for every participant. Due to the nature of mountain bike racing, with riders starting at staggered times and spread out across multiple stages, it’s extremely challenging for our photographers to catch everyone on course.
We partner with skilled photographers who position themselves strategically, but the format makes 100% coverage unlikely. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to soak in the experience - whether or not the camera catches you in action!