CAMDEN — The Maine coast was covered with more than just snow this weekend as thousands congregated in Camden for the 25th annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships, held Feb 6-8 at the Snow Bowl.

The handmade mahogany trophies and plaques, complete with mini wooden toboggans and the title of U.S. National Toboggan Champions were presented in the 2-Person division to Spudrunner Two, with a fastest combined time of 17.81; to 3-Person division winners Whiskey on Ice, with a total time of 18.18; and to the 4-Person team 4 Lo, of Lincolnville, with a fastest combined time of 18.03. (See below for a full listing of results and times).

Awards for special categories like Oldest Team, Fastest Kid's Team and Fastest High School Team, among others, were also handed out alongside the nearly 80-year-old wooden toboggan chute late Sunday afternoon.

The sold-out toboggan racing event had more than 425 teams take to the 400-foot-long ice-filled wooden chute to slide onto Hosmer Pond at speeds up to 40 mph. More than three dozen costumed teams also raced for the fastest time, and their own special trophy.

And speaking of costumes, the second annual costume contest parade was again a success, this time making its way from the fire pit up to vendor row, where each team vying for the Best Costume prize had a minute or so to “perform” before the judges.

The parade was judged by Camden Select Board members Leonard Lookner, Jim Heard and chairman Martin Cates, who discussed their favorites and awarded the top three best costumes for 2015, in recognition of the team’s efforts and creativity.

With more than 5,000 on hand to celebrate 25 years of the Toboggan Nationals, all of the proceeds of the weekend will benefit the municipally owned and operated Camden Snow Bowl's operating budget.

"All in all, this year was again a blast," said Committee Chairman Holly Edwards, in a news release. "It was great to see so many returning faces blended in with so many new ones vying for trophies and bragging rights. The smiles, laughter and appreciation are what bring the volunteer committee back year after year to put this event on. We get a real kick each year, making it to Sunday night of the three-day event weekend. And we did, thanks in large part to so many people, sponsors and town supporters."

The 25th annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships, as a signature event of a new nine-day 2015 Camden Winterfest celebration, is held at the Camden Snow Bowl and proceeds benefit the municipally owned and operated year-round facility. The event brings with it a rich history of costumes, traditions and family fun.

Information about registration, racing rules, toboggan regulations, parking information and more can be found at camdensnowbowl.com or by calling 207-236-3438. #toboggannationals

Related links:

• 2015 Promotion Page - links to stories, photo, results, sponsors and more

• 2015 Official Program

• Camden Snow Bowl

• U.S. National Toboggan Championships