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What is the oldest continuously held sporting event in the USA?

Question #12613. Asked by kaylee.
Last updated May 16 2021.

billfay
Answer has 19 votes
Currently Best Answer
billfay
25 year member
415 replies

Answer has 19 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
*** THIS QUESTION IS A FAQ - this top post will be used to provide the best info from below ***

There are a TON of events that claim to be "the longest running". Fortunately we can just compare dates.

Jousting Competition, Natural Chimneys, (Since at least 1840)
There’s not a ton of great documentation floating around out there to corroborate the oral tradition, though. The tale of the inaugural 1821 joust has been rewritten time and again in local newspapers and other accounts, and a 1941 article in the Maryland Historical Magazine mentions the yearly tournament at Natural Chimneys as one of the best-known jousts in the South. Nevertheless, the article identifies an 1840 joust outside of Baltimore as the first to definitively occur in the United States.

link http://modernfarmer.com/2014/10/faded-glory-americas-allegedly-oldest-sporting-event/

America's Cup, 1851 -- except, it's not always been raced in the USA.
link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Cup#1851:_America_wins_the_Cup


Intercollegiate boat races (rowing) first held between Harvard and Yale in 1852. NOTE: First contested in 1852, annually since 1859 except during major wars fought by the United States.

Kentucky Derby (1875) -- lots of claims that this is the oldest, but it doesn't appear to be unless you disqualify those listed above.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard-Yale_Regatta

Response last updated by Terry on Sep 17 2016.
Jul 24 2000, 1:30 PM
crackers
Answer has 8 votes
crackers
25 year member
117 replies

Answer has 8 votes.
I don't know if this is what you want, but I found this info:
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the second oldest continuous sporting event in the U.S. What is the oldest? The Kentucky Derby, a mere twenty months older, is the only event which beats out the Dog Show as the oldest continuous sporting event in America. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show been held faithfully each year for the past 123 years, despite power shortages, hazardous snow storms, national depressions, and World Wars.

Jun 28 2001, 7:08 AM
JReid
Answer has 3 votes
JReid
25 year member
155 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
You are overlooking the America's Cup. Competition was begun in 1851, and for 132 years, the American team successfully defended the cup.

Jun 28 2001, 4:45 PM
oleg_mcnoleg
Answer has 3 votes
oleg_mcnoleg
23 year member
46 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
the annual US V Canada cricket match was inaugurated in 1844 (canada won incidentally) - some 32 years before the first test match between England and Australia.

May 15 2002, 7:11 AM
avatar
McGruff
Answer has 7 votes
McGruff
25 year member
3694 replies avatar

Answer has 7 votes.
The Kentucky Derby claims to be the oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States, 1875.

link http://espn.go.com/horse/TripleCrown02/s/Kentuckytraditions.html


Response last updated by CmdrK on May 16 2021.
May 23 2002, 12:28 PM
GOT2HAVFUN
Answer has 4 votes
GOT2HAVFUN

Answer has 4 votes.
It is the jousting tournament held at Natural Chimneys in Mt. Solon, Va. This event is held every year in August. I think they are up to 140 years now.
link http://www.nationaljousting.com/fame.htm

Aug 29 2007, 12:32 PM
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zbeckabee star
Answer has 6 votes
zbeckabee star
Moderator
19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.
There seems to be quite a few that are laying claim to this one:

Over 130 years later, the "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs is the oldest continually held sporting event in the United States.

Take, for example, the Kentucky Derby , the oldest continually held sporting event in the United States.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristides_(horse)

link http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2006/08/09/sporting_impressive_history/

On the third Saturday in August every year, a jousting tournament is held at Natural Chimneys. This is the oldest continually held sporting event in the United States.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Solon,_Virginia

Though it does look like the first post is the most accurate.

Mar 24 2008, 4:12 AM
serpa
Answer has 6 votes
serpa
17 year member
2382 replies

Answer has 6 votes.
The first America's Cup was held at the Isle of Wight, England in 1851, not in the USA. It isn't always held in the USA.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_cup

Apr 16 2010, 1:52 AM
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