Mariah Duran brings Albuquerque skating community together

Albuquerque, New Mexico (KRQE) – Mariah Duran has represented Albuquerque on the world stage of skateboarding for almost a decade. Two-time Olympic champion and X Games gold medalist has become part of the MTN Dew “Skateboarding Unstoppable” campaign, which hosted an event at Civic Plaza on Sunday to celebrate skating in Duke City.

“I think it’s really rad that Mountain Dew is down to come to my hometown because we really don’t do much events like this, and for Mountain Dew to be down to host something like this is really sick,” Duran said. “I think it will go really far, I mean, I have been doing my best to represent Albuquerque, New Mexico, through all of my skating and everything like that. It’s just really cool to bring everyone together and see some good skating.”

The event featured an open skate jam and gave members of the community the opportunity to meet Durand. She wants to give people the opportunity to see why this event makes skating special and how it can have a positive impact on people.

“The best thing for this is just going to be opening eyes and showing the community that this is what skating is and we can all come together and skate a street spot, have a good time, it doesn’t matter what level you are at,” she said.

Durand is grateful for the support from his hometown throughout his career and is grateful to be able to give back through such an event. Her professional skaters have reached the highest levels of her sport and hope she will be the inspiration for the next generation of skaters.

“Everybody can see the possibility and can see that someone from Albuquerque can make it as far as I’ve made it and I think it motivates everybody to keep pushing forward. It makes it a little bit of an easier conversation if people want to just start skating,” said Duran.