ABOUT TARA – How this race began

On September 1, 2007 the Mountain biking worlds suffered a tremendous tragedy. While competing in the Jeep King of the Mountain finale in Beaver Creek, Colorado, one of the greatest athletes the sport has known, Tara Llanes, suffered a horrific crash. Tara was rushed to Vail Valley Hospital, then airlifted to Denver Health Hospital a short time later. Following seven hours of surgery to the back and spinal cord, it was determined she had no feeling from the waist down.

Tara has been a phenomenal competitor throughout her 15-year professional career winning both silver and bronze medals at the World Championships, winning the X-Games, and appearing in countless magazines including Maxim. Her competitiveness, aggressive riding style, and never say die attitude have motivated competitors and spectators alike to dig a little deeper. Tara’s always been there for everyone around her. Whether it be to offer advice and encouragement while teaching at mtn. bike clinics or handing out old jerseys, gloves, and goggles to younger riders at her local BMX track, she truly possesses the heart of a champion.

While in the hospital in Colorado Tara received a phone call from Brian Bolin, whom she had never met, but who had been a fan for years. Brian and his father Thayne called to ask if they could put on a 4-cross race in her name to help raise money and pay for her medical expenses. Tara said yes and the rest is history! The Tara Llanes Classic has grown and now offers a Mega DH, XC race, Industry Cup, Shimano Kid’s Race, Saturday morning Fun Ride, BBQ, and Film Premiere and is also now hosted at the world class Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort.

Tara has gone through years of rehab and worked tirelessly to get her strength and fitness back, but it was only thanks to the Tara Llanes Classic that she was able to pay for her physio and treatment. Today Tara is doing well. Two thousand and ten was tough and she has had a few setbacks , but no matter what’s stood in her way she has conquered and came out on top.

The Tara Llanes Classic initially started to help raise money for Tara’s ever growing medical costs, but now that Tara is healthy and has resumed her life she now wants to help others. Since 2009 a portion of the funds from the TLC have been donated to the Christopher Reeve-Irvine Research Center (www.reeve.uci.edu) to help researchers and doctors have the funds to find a cure for paralysis. New for 2011 the TLC will also be donating funds to the Center of Restorative Exercise otherwise known as C.O.R.E (http://www.aaronbakers.com/c_o_r_e_). Aaron Baker is one of the most inspirational people I know, said Tara Llanes, and he has just opened up a state-of-the-art facility that will help others that have been affected by SCI to help improve function and independence, which for us is something that is extremely hard to find. We want to help Aaron succeed with CORE because when he does it will be great for everybody that either rolls or walks into his gym. We will also have a link to the Tara Llanes Road to Recovery web site (www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com) is here to provide skilled athletes in the sport of Mountain Biking with financial aid after a severe injury by granting funds for equipment, rehabilitation, and long-term disability. Tara wants this fund to be able to help purchase wheelchairs, pay for physical therapy, or buy shower chairs if need be. There is a lot of risk in what we do and we should have a fund there to protect us in the event of an injury.

Tara is also busy working with Aaron Larocque on a documentary to help people better understand paralysis, the lives it affects, and the triumph that can come out of it. She along with many others truly believe that there will be a cure someday soon and when there is she’ll be back on her bike in no time! Click here to watch the teaser for Tara’s upcoming film www.pinkbike.com/video/182328